New York Patent of the Month – January 2021
Recent scientific research has shown that a decrease in mitochondrial function is a key factor in diseases like cardiomyopathy and neurodegenerative disorders. A mitochondrial enzyme called PINK1 responds to damage in individual mitochondria. PINK1 is also known to reduce mitochondrial apoptosis or cell death. Certain compounds can be used to activate PINK1 and can be delivered in a salt form. Mitokinin, Inc. developed a system to use salts in treatment and prevention of these mitochondrial diseases.
Pharmaceutically accepted salt compounds can act as agonists to the PINK1 pathway. An agonist activates or increases the activity of a protein or enzyme. In the case of PINK1, increased activity will ensure that more mitochondria are repaired after being damaged. Increased PINK1 activity also reduces apoptosis – leaving more mitochondria alive. As mitochondria increases in quantity and strength, they are more capable of functioning properly. Functioning mitochondria reduces oxidative stress which is a contributor to cardiomyopathy and numerous neurodegenerative diseases. With this decreased stress, these diseases can be prevented. In the case of treatment, the symptoms can be reduced. Their research shows that these salts can be administered in all the usual ways such as oral, aerosol, topical. The selected administration method depends on the individual disease and can be combined with other compounds. Mitokinin’s method could be vital for developing treatments and preventative methods for neurodegenerative diseases.
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