research on celiac pill

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Alice
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research on celiac pill

Post by Alice »

Hi everyone,

I just read on the Delphi celiac support board that Dr. Fasano, a leader in the celiac community, is working on a pill that either prevents celiac disease from developing or treats it once it has developed. It is unclear to me which is the case. He claims it will be ready in 12 months. There is an interesting discussion of his work on this.

Alice
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Post by Polly »

Hi Alice!

The pill was developed from Dr. Fasano's rearch on zonulin - for more info see the last article listed article in the "Current Research" forum on this board. He recently got FDA approval to begin human studies on celiacs using the pill, which is a zonulin-inhibitor peptide he calls AT-1001. This is so interesting, isn't it? Of course, given my hyperreactive immune system, I figure I'll just develop antibodies that will inactivate the peptide. LOL!

Love,

Polly
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Alice
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Post by Alice »

Polly,

I guess I'm about 6 months behind the times -haha! That's what I get for being too busy to keep up with the board. That will change soon - already has a little.

Love,
Alice
m
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Post by m »

Polly,
Need a biology refresher... this drug will work because it inhibits peptide interaction? Are peptides part of proteins like amino acids?
Signed,
Curious Science Geek (aka m)
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Post by Polly »

Dear Curious Science Geek (takes one to know one!),

You are correct. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. When two or more of them hook up in a specific way (i.e. the carboxyl group on one acid attaches to the amino group of another), a peptide is formed. When a long chain of amino acids/peptides is formed, it is called a protein.

Zonulin is a natural protein found in the human body, and the pill developed by Dr. Fasano is a peptide (partial protein). I don't think I've read exactly how this peptide inactivates zonulin, but when it does, apparently the permeability of the intestinal wall is reduced. This may offer hope for us MIs, I am thinking. Although Dr. Fasano is studying the pill's effect on celiacs (gluten absorption), it would seem to me that permeability to ALL proteins would be reduced. Wouldn't that be something???!!! It would be our dream come true - just pop a pill in the morning and then eat anything we want. Grilled cheese sandwich, here I come! LOL!

Love,

PhG

P.S. Alice, it's so good to see you here! You have so much wisdom and experience to share!
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Post by Lucy »

Polly,

MUST you keep bringing up that grilled cheese sandwich! I can hardly stand it!! Haha!! Anyway, save a blocker pill for me, and don't hog all the sandwiches, ok. Hee hee.

Thanks for the biochem review folks!
Yours, Luce
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