Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors: A Promising Candidate Against Aging And Fibrosis
Our bodies rely on a complex network of chemical reactions to function, and a key player in this network is an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase, or LDH. This enzyme is crucial for how our cells produce energy and maintain balance, by converting a molecule called pyruvate into lactate. When LDH doesn’t function correctly, it can contribute to various health problems, including the processes associated with aging and the formation of scar tissue, known as fibrosis.
Recent research has explored how targeting this enzyme could offer new ways to address these conditions. Scientists have investigated how LDH contributes to aging and fibrosis by affecting how cells use sugar for energy (glycolysis), maintain their internal chemical balance, and even influence changes in tissues.
The study also looked at different compounds, both natural and man-made, that can block the activity of LDH. It examined their structures and how they work to inhibit the enzyme. While these inhibitors show promise, there are challenges, such as ensuring they act only where needed in the body and avoiding unwanted side effects.
To overcome these hurdles, researchers are proposing innovative solutions, including developing “prodrugs” that only become active in specific disease environments or using advanced delivery systems like nanoparticles to guide the inhibitors precisely to the affected tissues. This approach holds significant potential for developing new treatments for a range of conditions, including liver fibrosis, by correcting metabolic imbalances in affected cells.
Source: link to paper