When an arthritis medication can bring hope to so many more…
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the respiratory system and also the gastrointestinal system.
There are 2 certain inflammasomes, called NLRC4 and NLRP3, that cause the most issues for people living with cystic fibrosis. I know you are asking, “What in the world are you talking about?”
What are inflammasomes?
Well, to make it short and sweet, inflammasomes are the switch to the engine. They “turn on” the body’s immune system to fight off infection. So, I know the next question you’re asking: “How is this bad?”
Well, as with anything, too much of something is never good.
When a person has cystic fibrosis, these inflammasomes can over activate and cause harm.
Studies have shown that NLRP3 can cause an overload of inflammation. When that happens, the host cannot control the infection any longer, so the host becomes ill.
These 2 inflammasomes have been linked to causing the most lung infections, and NLRP3 seems to cause the most damage of the two. So, now the question is, “What can we do about this?”
Research has shown that the drug Kineret, also known as anakinra, has slowed the effects of NLRP3. This drug was approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but this study is showing that cystic fibrosis patients may benefit from it as well.
Kineret has been found to slow down the inflammation process of NLRP3.
This medication may slow down the infection and inflammation rate in individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Taking an arthritis medication might not be so bad after all.
