Just Thought I'd Share

A possible new treatment for many acute spinal injuries may be coating that blue M&M or in that blue bottle of Gatorade. There they go the Gators did it again. (Just in case in live under a rock, the University of Florida created Gatorade.)

Researchers from the University of Rochester found that non-toxic blue food dye (known as BBG) stops the cascade of molecular events that causes secondary damage to the spinal cord in the hours following an injury -- and the interruption could prevent paralysis.

Researchers studied rats, but hope this breakthrough could lead to treatments in humans. And because blue food dye is already known to be safe when ingested, the researchers see this as a promising development.

When a spinal cord injury occurs, a molecule called adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP, is released in high amounts. The ATP molecules then bind to receptors that trigger irreversible cell death, which then leads to swelling.

What they found to be contained in this dye, blocks that receptor cascade, so you don't get the cell death and you don't get the swelling.

The research on rats did have one temporary side effect: The animals had a slight blue tint to their white fur and paws. What a small price to pay blue skin over walking Hummmm. No. Brainer.

Still, rats who received the treatment, the researchers reported, were able to recover much of their limb function, to the point of being able to walk again, though with a limp.



So speaking of Gators is anymore else like totally ready for football season? Because I am too excited! (SEC to be exact)

I have prematurely got out the car flags and dusted off the car magnets. And I may or may not have already posted the team schedule on my fridge over the family Easter picture. (What? I ran out of magnets!)

2008
#4 FLA (11-1) 45
#20 FSU (8-4) 15

(Just in case anyone forgot!!!)