Alterations in lactic acid metabolism — part of the process that allows the body to produce energy in the absence of oxygen — were found in lung tissues collected from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a recent study reported. These findings suggest that lactic acid metabolism may be…
Lactic Acid Metabolism May Be ‘Important’ Therapy Target in IPF
Today’s inspiration comes from a brainstorming session I had with fellow columnists. Speaking with other people who live with rare diseases made me think about what I wanted to express in my column. I realized I feel a lot of guilt, for several reasons. Watching others struggle with PF…
High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) increases exercise tolerance — improving endurance times and reducing leg fatigue — in adults with stable idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) having exercise-induced low blood oxygen levels, according to a small trial in Japan. Notably, HFNC’s benefits were superior to those of standard oxygen therapy,…
A signaling molecule called interleukin 35 (IL-35) is at unusually high levels in lung tissues from mice and in people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and seems to play a role in slowing disease progression, a study found. These findings indicate that IL-35 might be a new therapeutic target for…
People with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) had the same mortality and hospitalization rates, and incurred similar healthcare costs, whether they were treated with Esbriet (pirfenidone) or Ofev (nintedanib), a German insurance claims analysis showed. However, the analysis — conducted over five years and involving more than 1,000 patients…
I’ve always been guilty of putting too much pressure on myself. While I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) five years ago, I still haven’t learned how to slow down and avoid putting so much pressure on myself. This is despite the disease causing me extreme fatigue, breathlessness,…
The biotech startup ResBiotic has created a lung disease-focused pharmaceutical spin-off — Alveolus Bio — and launched its first probiotic-based consumer health product called resB Lung Support. The parent company, based in Birmingham, Alabama, and its subsidiary are using $4.5 million in seed funding “to transform the respiratory care landscape…
Vitamin D lessenened lung scarring (fibrosis) in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by suppressing the activity of the PSAT1 enzyme, and subsequently the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, a study shows. PSAT1 is an enzyme that links metabolic and amino acid production pathways. The MAPK pathway is…
A protein called RAGE may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a recent study suggests. RAGE levels were found to be decreased in the lungs of IPF patients, and in those of mice used to model the human disease. Meanwhile, the…
Growing up as an only child, I’ve spent my whole life hearing what one Washington Post writer calls “a slew of profoundly unflattering and occasionally contradictory stereotypes.” I’ve been told many times how lucky I am that I don’t have to share my parents’ affection with siblings. Or…
