Right
now it is Easter Island meets modern medicine. Sirolimus is a macrolide
compound, an "has immunosuppressant functions in humans and is especially
useful in preventing the rejection of kidney transplants. It inhibits activation of T cells and
B cells by reducing the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2)" [1]. There had
been an article in German with the title "Easter Island medicine allows
mice to get older [2].
You
might ask now, what this has to do with Easter Island. Remember that Easter
Island's original name is Rapanui. Now, Sirolimus has a second name and this is
Rapamycin. The bacterium that produces Rapamycin has been found on Rapanui in
1972. Its' use to prevent the rejection of kidney transplants comes from a
lower kidney toxicity when compared to calcineurin inhibitors (this toxicity
and the induction of hypertension are two of the reasons why Cyclosporin A
isn't much used in Rheumatology nowadays).
Where's
the link to my recent trip to Rapanui? I had been hiking from Hanga Roa to Rano
Kao and taking the left side walk at the rim of the crater, when I suddenly saw
something afar. Actually I've been asking myself in disbelief if someone had
put up a honey bucket. Soon this assumption showed to be inaccurate as it is a
huge slab of stone mounted on rocks, but it had been unclear for what reason
because the brass plate isn't there anymore.
The outdoor toilet impression came from
very much farther away
If you
want to see the brass plate, please open this link [3].
Links and References:
[2]
Osterinsel-Medizin
lässt Mäuse älter werden, SPIEGEL-Online, 9. Juli 2009
.
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful info specially the last part :) I care for such information a lot.
I was looking for this certain info for a long
time. Thank you and best of luck.