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Research On Fetal
Brain Damage
0
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•
NO
New ways to reduce brain dam-
age in fetuses whose growth is
stunted due to placental mal-
function may emerge from an an-
imal study at the Weizmann
Institute, to be reported in this
month's issue of the Journal of
Neurochemistry (Vol. 63, #6).
The study deals with PM'
(platelet-activating factor), a sub-
stance ordinarily produced by
cells of the immune system and
associated with vascular circu-
lation, as well as with nerve dif-
ferentiation and gene expression
in the brain. The researchers —
Professor Ephraim Yavin and
doctoral student Baruch Ku-
nievsky of the Institute's de-
partment of neurobiology —
found that PAF is produced in
excess in the fetal brain whose
maternal blood supply is cur-
tailed. They also showed that fol-
lowing its synthesis, PAF
stimulates the release of throm-
boxane, a vasoconstricting sub-
stance believed to exacerbate
damage to brain tissue and ac-
celerate its breakdown.
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Leaves of the
Ginkgo biloba tree
prevent the
action of PAF.
- In addition, Professor Yavin
and Dr. Kunievsky demonstrat-
ed that the fetal brain possesses
receptors which, when triggered
by PAF, activate the release of
intracellular calcium that dis-
rupts brain metabolism and
stimulates generation of harm-
ful free radicals. The scientists
also found that a derivative orig-
inally extracted from the leaves
of the Ginkgo biloba tree, known
as BN52021, prevents the action
of PAF, thereby exerting a pro-
tective influence. The drug can
be administered prophylactical-
ly via the amniotic fluid in the
pregnant animal.
"Although it's too early to
know for sure," Professor Yavin
says, "our study indicates that it
may be possible to reduce the
harmful effects of PM' with
drugs that block its receptors or
prevent the rise in intracellular
calcium."
This research extends a study
by Professor Yavin — in collab-
oration with Professor Shaul
Harel of the Tel Aviv Medical
Center and Tel Aviv University
— on strategies for early diag-
nosis of circulatory problems as-
sociated with fetal growth
retardation in expectant human
mothers.
This research was supported
by a grant from the Gulton Foun-
dation, New York. ❑
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we provide. As a part of The Detroit
you the biggest benefit of all.
The DMC Health Care Centers.
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get the right care, right here.
Medical Center-Wayne State University
Wayne State University
system, our physicians arc able to treat
Health Care
Centers
patients with some of the most advanced
medical techniques. Also, DMC Health
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