According to a news article at the National Post website, medical researchers have discovered an "enzyme in the brain that appears to make pain last after nerve injury and they hope to use it as a new target to treat chronic pain in people."
If you recall, an enzyme "is a Protein that facilitates or speeds up certain chemical reactions. Enzymes are used inside of cells to aid in cell growth and reproduction." (source:http://ucbiotech.org/glossary/index.html ).
"In a broad sense, there are two types of enzymes. Some that help join specific molecules together to form new molecules. Others that help break specific molecules apart into separate molecules. Enzymes play many important roles ouside the cell as well. One of the best examples of this is the digestive system. For instance, it is enzymes in your digestive system that break food down in your digestive system break food down into small molecules that can be absorbed by the body. Some enzymes in your digestive system break down starch, some proteins and others break down fats." (source:http://www.tip2000.com/health/enzymes.asp )
The scientists were in a group involving Canadians and South Koreans and were able to reduce pain in mice after blocking the enzyme.
To read more about this finding please click on the following link:
http://www.nationalpost.com/life/chroniccare/Canadian+Korean+researchers+isolate+brain+enzyme+linked+chronic+pain/3924352/story.html
Hopefully this finding will lead to a new class of drugs to block the enzyme in humans.
