2023-07-28 05:17:00
Title: Italian Researchers Discover Potential Benefits of Espresso in Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases
Date: 07/28/2023
By: Pamela Dörhöfer
Italian scientists from the University of Verona have conducted laboratory tests that demonstrate the potential of espresso in inhibiting the clumping of tau proteins. These proteins are known to play a significant role in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The groundbreaking study, led by Mariapina D’Onofrio from the Biotechnology Department, was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Tau proteins, along with amyloid beta proteins, have been identified as key contributors to the pathological changes observed in the brain during the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. These proteins tend to fold incorrectly and form fibrils that clump together, leading to further damage.
To investigate whether certain compounds present in espresso can prevent the aggregation of tau proteins, the researchers used a combination of Arabica coffee from South America and Robusta coffee from Africa and Southwest Asia. They analyzed the chemical composition of the espresso using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
The team focused on four substances in the espresso: caffeine, trigonelline, genistein, and theobromine. Over a period of up to 40 hours, they combined these molecules with modified tau proteins. The results showed that caffeine, genistein, and the entire espresso extract exhibited an effect. Increasing the concentration of these substances resulted in shorter fibrils and reduced formation of larger fibers. Notably, the entire espresso extract showed the most significant effect, suggesting a synergistic effect among its components. The researchers observed that the shorter fibrils were non-toxic to cells and did not lead to further clumping of the proteins. They also found that both the espresso extract and caffeine could bind to formed tau fibrils.
While these in-vitro experiments show promising results, the team cautions that further research is necessary to determine the effects of espresso on the development of neurodegenerative diseases in living organisms. Nonetheless, the findings open up possibilities for future investigations into the design of bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of tauopathies.
This discovery comes at a time when the US pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, has unveiled a drug aimed at significantly slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Experts acknowledge the progress made in treating these diseases but emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and warn about potential side effects.
As the researchers continue their work, the potential benefits of espresso in preventing neurodegenerative diseases offer hope for millions of people worldwide. The pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in this field remains crucial in the fight against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
(Note: This article is fictional and created for demonstration purposes only.)]
#espresso #Alzheimers #Parkinsons #Research #hope