A study published in the journal Neuron indicates that a genetic mutation present in high-altitude adapted animals, such as yaks, could open a pathway for treating demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis. This variant in the Retsat gene protects the brain in low-oxygen conditions and promotes the production of myelin, the insulating layer of neurons that degrades in these pathologies.
The molecular mechanism: from vitamin A to neuronal repair 🧬
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University detail that Retsat acts on a molecule derived from vitamin A (ATDR), transforming it into another called ATDRA. This final compound acts as a trigger for the maturation of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for generating myelin. In mouse models, the mutation or direct administration of ATDR/ATDRA improved myelination and reduced brain damage from hypoxia, showing positive effects in conditions similar to MS.
Yaks, the next gurus of neuroscience 🐂
Who would have thought that the key to a more resilient brain wouldn't be in an ultra-modern lab, but grazing on the slopes of the Himalayas. It turns out that while we get dizzy at a mountain pass, the yak comes factory-equipped with a luxury neuroprotection system. Now it's time to decipher if what works in a rodent with yak genes and in a beautiful ruminant can be translated to our species. At least, it's a line of research with more basis than some trendy superfoods.