5 Indian scientists selected as members of EMBO Global Investigator Network

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Developing antidepressant medications that target cells in the gut may open a novel path towards effective treatment of mood disorders like depression and anxiety, finds a study. Targeting gut cells may open new ways to reduce depression and anxiety.

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Developing antidepressant medications that target cells in the gut may open a novel path towards effective treatment of mood disorders like depression and anxiety, finds a study.

These gut-targeting medications may also lead to fewer cognitive, gastrointestinal, and behavioral side effects for patients and their children than current treatments.

“Antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft that raise serotonin levels are important first-line treatments and help many patients but can sometimes cause side effects that patients can’t tolerate,” said Mark Ansorge, Associate Professor of clinical neurobiology at Columbia University Vagelos.

Ansorge noted that the study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggests that limiting these drugs “to interact only with intestinal cells could avoid these issues”.

Further, the team noted that the novel approach may also help pregnant women, without exposing the child.

Antidepressants that raise serotonin (called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs) — the first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety and depression for over 30 years — are known to cross the placenta and increase problems related to mood, cognitive, and gastrointestinal later in childhood.

On the other hand, leaving depression untreated during pregnancy “also comes with risks to the children,” Ansorge said. “An SSRI that selectively raises serotonin in the intestine could be a better alternative.”

Notably, Serotonin is also produced outside the brain, largely in cells that line the intestines. “In fact, 90 per cent of our bodies’ serotonin is in the gut,” said the team.

This knowledge raises the possibility that increasing serotonin signaling in the gut may impact gut-brain communication and ultimately mood, they noted while testing its possibility in mice.

They found that increasing intestinal serotonin reduces anxiety, and depressive behaviors in mice

“These results suggest that SSRIs produce therapeutic effects by working directly in the gut,” Ansorge said.

The animals also displayed none of the cognitive or gastrointestinal side effects commonly seen in patients taking SSRIs or in mice with increased serotonin signaling throughout their entire bodies.

–IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) At least one person each second, or 42 million people annually worldwide is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection, according to new estimates by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.

It showed that about 846 million people or more than 1 in 5 people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.

Usually, these infections cause no or few symptoms, in some cases they lead to painful genital sores and blisters that can recur throughout life, causing significant discomfort and often requiring multiple healthcare visits.

The estimates, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, showed that over 200 million people suffered at least one such symptomatic episode in 2020.

“While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO.

The alarming figures urge for new treatments and vaccines to reduce the adverse health effects of the herpes virus and control its spread. It will also help “reduce the transmission of HIV,” Doherty said.

HSV are of two types — HSV-1 and HSV-2 — both can lead to genital herpes.

As per estimates, 520 million people in 2020 had genital HSV-2, which is transmitted during sexual activity.

Genital HSV-2 is more serious and it is substantially more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks. It accounts for around 90 per cent of symptomatic episodes and is linked to a three-fold increased risk of getting HIV.

On the other hand, HSV-1 primarily spreads during childhood through saliva or skin-to-skin contact around the mouth to cause oral herpes, with cold sores or mouth ulcers the most common symptoms.

It can also spread via sexual contact. About 376 million people are estimated to have had genital HSV-1 infections in 2020.

Of these, 50 million are estimated also to have HSV-2 as it is possible to have both types at the same time, the WHO said.

The report suggests the correct and consistent use of condoms to reduce the risks of herpes transmission; people with active symptoms should avoid sexual contact.

The WHO also recommends that people with symptoms of genital herpes should be offered HIV testing and if needed, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention.

–IANS

rvt/

Nalasopara, Dec 18 (IANS) The Jan Aushadhi Kendras, opened under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is helping patients and their families across the country, in buying medicines at dirt-cheap rates.

The Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Nalasopara, a town about 60 km from Mumbai, is proving to be a boon for the common man as they are able to buy regular as well as life-saving medicines and drugs at very cheap rates.

Usha, a local resident, told IANS: “I always come to this center to get medicines. When there was no Jan Aushadhi Kendra, we had to purchase medicines from the market at expensive rates. With the opening of this centre, medicines are now available at cheaper rates. Medicines which are available for Rs 100 from outside, are available here for Rs 30. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this scheme.”

Noor Khan said: “I always visit this centre to buy medicines. At this centre, we are getting medicines at cheap prices. These medicines are equally effective. I want to thank PM Modi for launching pro-poor scheme.”

Dheeraj Kumar, the director of Jan Aushadhi Kendra, said that all types of medicines are available here. Apart from sugar, blood pressure medicines are available at cheaper prices. “The villagers living in this area are benefiting.”

Yogesh, a staff at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, said: “All types of medicines are available here. Medicines are given to people here at cheaper prices compared to the medicines they get from outside.”

“We tell them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started this scheme. On behalf of the people, we want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

The Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Nalasopara has not only enabled people to buy medicines at cheaper rates but also given them a chance to save more money.

–IANS

mr/pgh