A liver disease drug derived from bears might be able to treat Parkinson’s disease, British researchers reveal today.
The Sheffield-based researchers say they now have enough evidence to fast-track ursodeoxycholic acid – UDCA – into trials on human patients.
The laboratory studies suggest the drug can improve the health of diseased cells.
It does so by improving the working of the mitochondria <! The energy machine>, leading to increased oxygen consumption and energy levels in the cells.
The problem is caused by a genetic mutation, LRRK2, which affects the neurons that normally make dopamine <!the brain chemical that is affected by Parkinson’s>.
The findings are published in the journal Neurology and come from the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience.
A study at the University of York found the treatment worked on fruit flies with the genetic mutation.
UDCA is a chemical found in the bile of bears.
Researcher Dr Heather Mortiboys said: “We demonstrated the beneficial effects of UDCA in the tissue of LRRK2 carriers with Parkinson’s disease as well as currently asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers.
"In both cases, UDCA improved mitochondrial function as demonstrated by the increase in oxygen consumption and cellular energy levels.”
The findings were welcomed by Dr Arthur Roach, of Parkinson’s UK, said: “Because of this urgency, the testing of drugs like UCDA, which are already approved for other uses, is extremely valuable. It can save years, and hundreds of millions of pounds.
“It’s particularly encouraging in this study that even at relatively low concentrations the liver drug still had an effect on Parkinson’s cells grown in the lab."
UDCA exerts beneficial effect on mitochondrial dysfunction in LRRK2G2019S carriers and in vivo. Neurology 10 August 2015; 85:1-7
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