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A lot
of the new technological advancements in medicine are focused on finding cure
for life threatening diseases but this approach is now starting to change. A group of intellectual scientists have found
a way to cure periodontal disease through gene therapy.
This is the first time ever that gene therapy has been used to treat a
condition to improve the quality of life.
The researchers mentioned that this is one step ahead from the previous
approach when gene therapy was only focused to treat life threatening
illnesses.
They also added that periodontal is a disabling disease that seriously hampers
the health status of an individual, which can lead to serious health
problems.
Scientists at the University
of Michigan have shown
that gene therapy can be used to successfully stop the development of
periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also amazing to know that this gene
therapy approach has benefited individuals who were suffering from rheumatoid
arthritis as well.
The study was conducted on about 127 individuals, in which all showed about 30%
improvement in regaining better chewing of the food, as well as pain
relief. This was along side other
therapeutic interventions being offered to these individuals.
A note must be made here that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can
spread from the oral cavity to the various parts of the body and can cause
serious illnesses such as heart disease, joint disease, kidney disease, etc.
Scientists have found a way to develop a TNF receptor on certain cells using
inactivated virus. TNF is known to cause
a lot of damage in diseases with chronic inflammation and these cells just act
like a sponge to absorb the TNF present in the inflamed areas. The TNF factor can cause a high level of
destruction by destroying bone and joints.
The results of the study have shown that the individuals who received this
therapy were able to have a better protection level against the inflammatory
agents and in whom the joints were spared from any destruction.
