Author: Bolysbek Dana
Editor: Merentsova Anastasia
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system itself destroys the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, which further leads to neurodegeneration. The myelin sheath covers long branches of nerve cells called axons and serves to increase the rate at which electrical signals are transmitted between neurons. Myelination of the central nervous system also plays an important role in cognitive development, especially during childhood.
N-acetylglucosamine is a simple sugar found in human breast milk that promotes myelin repair in mouse models and correlates with myelination levels in patients with multiple sclerosis.
It is a substance that metabolically binds to proteins on the surface of the cell membrane to control cellular function.
Scientists have found that N-acetylglucosamine activates myelin stem cells, promoting primary myelination and myelin repair.
Interestingly, since N-acetylglucosamine is a major component of human breast milk, this may explain some of the benefits of cognitive function and myelination in babies who were fed breast milk rather than infant formula.
The data obtained by the authors of the works indicate that the use of N-acetylglucosamine can help restore myelin in patients with multiple sclerosis. To test this theory, clinical trials will already be required.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-simple-sugar-therapy-myelin-multiple.html
