Worms to cure skin cancer
An international investigation has discovered one of the mechanisms involved in the renovation of the cuticle of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, opening new lines of study in the field of anti aging skin in humans and in healing and healing wounds.
The study noted that the molting process in this worm is associated with changes in the oxidation state of proteins present in the cuticle.
By blocking the activity of these proteins, the old cuticle is not weakened enough to break the animal, and just dying inside.
It could also help in treating skin cancers and the development of treatments for nematodiasis, parasitic diseases caused by nematodes (a type of worm as studied in this research) and widespread in the developing countries.
The aging in living organisms is caused by the reduced ability of cells to repair oxidative damage that accumulates throughout life.
The molting process in this worm is associated with changes in the oxidation state of proteins present in the cuticle.
The application of glutathione, a molecule present in all living organisms and regulates cellular oxidation balance favors the move and moving to the next larval stage, as it helps the worm to degrade the old cuticle and leave her.
If we discover what other cuticle proteins are involved in oxidation processes, we could come up with new ways to treat these diseases.
