Metabolon公司受委托即将研究经前期疾病的生物指标

 
Metabolon公司公布了一项来自美国脑健康研究院(NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA)的鉴别妇女经前期烦躁疾病(PMDD)的合同。

PMDD是一种严重的经前期综合征，影响大约5％的行经妇女。症状包括抑郁、烦躁、紧张、易激惹和喜怒无常。患有PMDD女性的生活质量出现显著下降。尽管该疾病是由生殖激素所触发的，但是PMDD的病因目前尚不清楚。目前的治疗方案包括使用营养药物添加剂和某些处方药物治疗。

Metablon科学家将对采集自患PMDD妇女和正常健康妇女的样本进行对比研究。然后分析所获得的资料试图鉴别出反应这两组人群的代谢差异的生物指标。这项研究的成果或许能够产生对这项疾病更有效的治疗方法。

Metabolon公司商业开发副总裁Reid Tripp说：“Metabolon的技术能够鉴别出帮助开发治疗这种疾病本身的生物学指标，而不仅仅是针对症状。这项研究能够加强对代谢性疾病多样性和深度的研究。Metabolon一直受到政府、学院和工业单位的委托，研究对多种未来能够治疗疾病的方法。”
 
Biomarkers for Premenstrual Disorder
 
A contract from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) to identify biomarkers occurring in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has been announced by Metabolon, Inc. (Research Triangle Park, NC, USA).

PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that affects about 5% of menstruating women. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, tension, irritability, and moodiness. Women with PMDD often have a significantly reduced quality of life. Although the disorder is triggered by reproductive hormones, the cause of PMDD is not known. Current treatment options include nutritional supplements and prescription drugs.

Metablon scientists will compare samples taken from women with PMDD with samples from normal healthy women. They will then analyze the data to identify biomarkers that indicate a metabolic difference between the two groups. Results from this study may lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.

“Metabolon’s technology will identify biomarkers that can be used to develop new treatments for the disorder itself, not just the symptoms,” said Reid Tripp, vice president, business development, at Metabolon. “This study reinforces the diversity and depth of metabolomics applications. Metabolon continues to be sought out by government, academia, and industry to find biomarkers that may impact the way various disorders are treated in the future.”