With the increasing number of stroke cases and their long-term consequences, innovative therapies are becoming more common. This includes peptide therapy. It is a promising alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods. It encompasses a range of benefits, such as regenerating neural tissues, improving brain function, and speeding up the rehabilitation process. As their benefits are being discovered, peptide-based therapy is becoming an integral part of today's stroke care. In the remainder of this article, we will take a closer look at why peptides are gaining prominence and exactly how they improve the quality of life for stroke patients,
What are stroke peptides and how do they work?
Peptides are a group of chemical compounds that consist of short chains of amino acids. They are naturally present in human bodies and play a key role in various biological processes. In the context of haemorrhagic stroke treatment, peptides play an important role in the regeneration of neural tissues. Their action is to stimulate the growth and repair of damaged brain cells. By influencing neuroprotective processes, peptides can aid recovery from ischaemic stroke, improving neuromotor and cognitive function. It is the mechanism of action of peptides that means they are now being investigated and used as a potential tool in post-stroke rehabilitation, offering hope for effective treatment and a significant improvement in patients' quality of life.
In general, the action of peptides is to block pathological processes caused by reduced blood supply to brain tissues. Different groups of peptides have therapeutic potential in ischaemia. These include small interfering peptides that block protein-protein interactions, arginine-rich cationic peptides with a combination of different neuroprotective properties, shuttle peptides that provide neuroprotective permeability across the blood-brain barrier and synthetic peptides that mimic natural peptides and regulatory hormones
Neuroprotective peptides: which substance to choose for ischaemic stroke?
When a stroke occurs, the choice of appropriate peptides is crucial for the best outcome. Ischaemic strokes often result from inadequate blood supply to the brain, leading to damage to neural tissues. In this context, certain neuroprotective peptides show exceptional effectiveness.
BPC 157 - blood pressure stabilisation
BPC-157 is a short abbreviation for Bodily Protection Compound-157 and is a peptide consisting of 15 amino acids that shows promise for tissue repair and the treatment of various conditions.
It is important to note that BPC-157 is a peptide that is still under intensive investigation and its use in stroke treatment is not yet fully understood or approved by regulatory agencies such as the FDA in the US. However, there are some theories and evidence suggesting why neuroregenerative peptide BPC-157 may have a positive impact on stroke-related processes:
- Anti-inflammatory properties: BPC-157 exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which is important after a stroke. Inflammation is a common body response to brain tissue damage caused by stroke. Reducing inflammation can help control damage and improve repair processes.
- Tissue regeneration: The peptide is known for its potential to stimulate tissue regeneration processes. After a stroke, it can help to rebuild damaged neurons and other brain structures.
- Improving blood flow: The substance's ability to improve blood circulation is important after an ischaemic stroke (i.e. one in which there is a lack of blood in a specific area of the brain). Improving blood circulation can help protect and repair damaged nerve tissues.
- Neuroprotective effects: preparation may exert a neuroprotective effect, protecting neurons from further damage after stroke.
Glutathione - cleanse your arteries
Glutathione is an extremely important peptide found naturally in human bodies. It is a compound made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate and glycine. Glutathione plays a key role in many biological processes and has a wide range of applications in health care and the treatment of various diseases.
Glutathione is an important compound associated with brain health and may have a positive impact on stroke due to its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Here is why glutathione may benefit stroke:
- Detoxification: The substance is essential for detoxification processes in the body, especially in the liver. It helps to remove toxins, including potentially harmful chemicals that can result from a stroke. This can help to reduce the toxic burden on the body.
- Protection against inflammation: Glutathione may help control inflammation in the brain after a stroke. An excessive inflammatory response can worsen brain damage, so proper regulation of inflammation may be key.
- Improving blood flow: Through its vasodilatory effects, glutathione can help improve blood flow in the area of brain damage after an ischaemic stroke. This, in turn, can aid the tissue and neuronal repair process.
- Protection of nerve cells: Glutathione has a neuroprotective effect, protecting neurons from further damage. This may help to preserve brain function after a stroke.
Semax - neurogenesis-stimulating compound
In recent years, there has been a lot of promising research into the use of peptides in the treatment of stroke. One of the most fascinating compounds is Semaxwhich shows potential in the process stimulating neurogenesis - the process of creating new neurons in the brain. This discovery is extremely important, as it was previously thought that the adult brain was incapable of significant neuronal regeneration after damage such as stroke.
Semax is a peptide with a structure based on the natural neuropeptide ACTH (adrenocorticotropin). Laboratory and experimental studies in animal models suggest that Semax can influence the growth of stem cells and accelerate the maturation of neurons. This may lead to improved brain function after a stroke, as new neurons can replace those that have been damaged.
In addition, Semax exhibits neuroprotective properties that may help minimise the damage caused by stroke. It protects neurons from the oxidative stress and inflammation that often accompanies stroke, which can limit the extent of brain damage and improve a patient's prognosis.
Although research on Semax is still in the experimental phase, the promising results suggest that this peptide could represent a significant step in the future of stroke treatment. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans before it can be widely used in clinical practice. In the meantime, other aspects of stroke treatment, such as physical therapy, pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation, which continue to play a key role in improving the quality of life of stroke patients, should not be forgotten.