Trial of treating cystic fibrosis on ... pigs

American scientists have created pigs capable of developing cystic fibrosis similar to humans and hope this is a step to speed up the process of treating the disease.

Scientists at the University of Iowa and the University of Missouri say they have created genetically modified piglets capable of contracting cystic fibrosis like humans.

'Studying a disease in pigs can help scientists unravel the problems of cystic fibrosis so far beyond understanding and can point to new treatments or special drugs , TS. Michael Welsh of the University of Iowa said.

People have cystic fibrosis when the gene has two copies of the altered gene (called CFTR, the pathogen that was discovered in 1989). Cystic fibrosis causes the mucus to accumulate and block certain organs in the body, especially the lungs and pancreas.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association, a research-funded organization, says there are about 70,000 people in the world, including 30,000 Americans suffering from it. The sick person can only live up to about 37 years old.

Fibroids damage tissues and cells.(Photo: Medidacte.timone.univ-mrs.fr)

Scientists create 'sample' animals to conduct experiments that cannot be done on humans. Genetically modified mice have been created to develop cystic fibrosis, but the disease progresses very differently between rodents and humans.

'Unfortunately, rats have some things that people crave,' said Welsh, who led the study in a phone interview. 'They do not get sick in the pancreas, lung glands and intestines like those with cystic fibrosis. There are many questions that cannot be answered '.

'It is difficult to determine when symptoms of outbreaks occur, because patients may have congenital cystic fibrosis, or sometimes the disease progresses quietly,' said Christopher Penland of the Association of People with Cystic Fibrosis.

This is the latest test on swine for human medical needs. For example, people with heart disease can use a pig heart valve.

Scientists created pigs with cystic fibrosis because pig lungs have many characteristics of human lung.

'Currently, if we want to conduct trials to find treatments or treatments for lung disease that cause cystic fibrosis patients to die, we must start on sick children' - Randy Prather of the University of Missouri adds figs.

The disease in pigs is very similar to the disease stages observed in humans. Researchers are waiting for the characteristics of cystic fibrosis to show on the pigs they have created 'so we can experiment in ways that have never been done before,' Prather said in a broadcast. expression.