Resveratrol is a natural compound found in certain fruits and vegetables, that may help boost the ability of mesenchymal stem cells taken from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients to transform into mature nerve cells. This is according to South Korean research.
The finding, detailed in a study published in the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, supports the potential of resveratrol to advance patient-derived stem cell transplant as a way of treating ALS.
Stem cells are being explored as potential treatments for diseases from cancer to neuro-degeneration. These cells can be transformed into virtually any type of mature cell to potentially restore a biological balance. But their clinical use is limited.
Resveratrol is commonly found in strongly colored vegetables and fruits; from cranberries, strawberries and blueberries to grape skins, peanuts and soy. The benefits of consuming large amounts, especially as supplements, are still debated.
Further studies with a greater number of samples are needed to confirm these results before this potential treatment might be used in patients, they concluded.
Source: alsnewstoday.com
