治疗阿尔茨海默氏症的药物，对治疗假牙假肢也有帮助

From a simple tooth to a major knee replacement, dental and orthopedic implant surgeries to common around the globe. However, these procedures can fail due to the immune system’s response to bacteria or metal particles coming off the implants. Now, a new study reveals a drug typically used with Alzheimer’s patients may prevent painful inflammation and rejection of the replacement.

从简单的牙齿到大型膝关节置换，牙科和骨科植入手术已全球普及。然而，由于免疫系统对植入物上的细菌或金属颗粒的反应，这些手术很有可能会失败。现在，一项新的研究表明，阿尔茨海默氏症患者通常使用的一种药物可以预防疼痛性炎症和替代药物的排斥。

Researchers at Tel Aviv University say this inflammatory response can lead to the activation of osteoclasts, bone resorbing cells. These cells trigger a condition called osteolysis, which destroys the bone tissue around the implant. Once this process begins, scientists say it’s almost impossible to stop and will result in the patient losing their implant.

特拉维夫大学的研究人员说，这种炎症反应可以导致破骨细胞，骨吸收细胞的活化。这些细胞会引发一种叫做骨溶解的疾病，这种疾病会破坏植入物周围的骨组织。科学家说，一旦这个过程开始，几乎不可能停止，最后病人不得不移去植入物。

In the new report, study authors developed an active molecule (SNV) which comes from the short protein vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The study finds this molecule can both suppress inflammation and ward off the destruction of bone tissue. Researchers believe the breakthrough will help patients having knee implantations, those with dental implants, and even people suffering gum recession due to gum disease.

在新的报告中，作者开发了一种来自短蛋白血管活性肠肽(VIP)的活性分子(SNV)。研究发现，这种分子可以抑制炎症反应，并防止骨组织的破坏。研究人员认为，这一突破将有助于膝关节植入术患者、牙科植入者，甚至是因牙龈疾病而遭受牙龈萎缩的患者。

VIP works as a neurohormone and neurotransmitter and has ties to several different processes, including expanding blood vessels, expanding respiratory passages, cell division, and nerve protection. Until now, scientists have been using it as a treatment for brain cell health in patients dealing with dementia.

血管活性肠肽是一种神经激素和神经递质，与包括扩张血管、扩张呼吸道、细胞分裂和神经保护的多种不同的过程有关。直到现在，科学家一直在使用它作为痴呆症患者脑细胞健康的治疗方法。

However, researchers attached a lipid (fat) to this protein, making the molecule “fatty” enough to penetrate the skin. Study authors say this will allow patients to use the drug as an ointment instead of an injection or oral medication.

然而，研究人员在这种蛋白质上附加了一种脂肪，使得这种分子足以渗透到皮肤中。研究人员说，这就意味着患者只需要使用药物软膏，而不需要注射或口服药物。

Researchers tested the molecule’s impact on both bone cells and immune cells. During their experiments, the team discovered metal particles coming from the implants accelerate the progression of bone resorption. However, in animal tests, study authors found SNV could suppress this resorption. Therefore, the new drug shows great promise at preserving the hold joint implants and teeth have in the surrounding bone tissue.

研究人员还测试了这种分子对骨细胞和免疫细胞的影响。在实验中，研究小组发现来自植入物的金属颗粒加速了骨吸收的进程。然而，在动物实验中，研究人员发现 SNV 可以抑制这种再吸收。因此，这种新药物在保存骨组织中的关节假体和牙齿临床应用方面很有希望。

The study appears in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.

这项研究发表在《药理学前沿》杂志上。