On 2 April, 2001,
these words made headlines on the Japan Financial Times.
Diseased protein cells caused by Alzheimer’s
Disease, are now kept under control by copper ions. This was the
result of Dr. Sugimoto Naoya’s (from Konan University) success
with the introduction of copper ions into protein cells of brains
afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, in order to keep the
disease under check. The introduction of copper into the human
body as a form of treatment may be difficult but making medical
products based on this concept is believed to be advantageous.
When Alzheimer’s Disease is present, protein molecules which
divide easily under normal circumstances, will form clumps within
the brain and destroy cells in the nervous system. Dr. Sugimoto
has confirmed that after mixing these protein molecules with copper
ions, the copper ions attached themselves to the amino acids of
these protein molecules and the growth of these diseased protein
molecules became retarded.
The experiment was meant to examine the effects of metal ions
on DNA and RNA. After observing changes in the molecular structure
of protein, Dr. Sugimoto measured the luminous effects on protein
when it was exposed to luminous objects. He examined it under
an atomic microscope and confirmed the findings.
In the case where copper ions were not present, the protein molecules
appeared to settle and fine lines emerged. In contrast, where
copper ions were present right from the beginning, this phenomenon
was hardly observed. It was concluded that it is possible to treat
protein molecules afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease with
copper ions, or rather, it is possible to reverse the molecular
structure of protein with copper ions.
What was interesting was that as the settling of the protein molecules
continued and its volume increased, the luminous effect dropped
dramatically the moment copper ions were introduced. Other metal
ions were used in the experiment but copper seemed to have the
best effects. The retardation effect of copper ions against protein
molecules will give a glimmer of hope not only for Alzheimer’s
Disease but also against Prion Disease, Mad-Cow Disease, Creutzfelt-Jacob
Disease etc.
Though the experiment is only in its infancy stage, Copper, both
an old and new metal all at once, will attempt once more to open
up this whole new field of knowledge.
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