A Stinky Compound May Protect Against Cell Damage, Study Finds

Scientists from the University of Exeter say that the compound found in the smell of rotten eggs and human flatulence might some day be useful in mitigating the cell damage responsible in part for certain diseases.

The study, published in a recent issue of the journal Medical Chemistry Communications, examined the impact of hydrogen sulfide gas—which humans produce in small amounts during digestion—on cells' mitochondria. Although the gas is noxious in large doses, scientists found that cellular exposure to smaller amounts of the compound may prevent mitochondrial damage. This could have future implications in the prevention of strokes, arthritis, heart disease, among other things, the researchers say.

When disease stresses the body’s cells, the cells draw in enzymes to generate “minute quantities of hydrogen sulfide” that protects mitochondria, the scientists says. Mitochondria essentially act as generators for cells' energy output, and protecting against mitochondrial damage is central to preventing certain diseases. " We have exploited this natural process by making a compound, called AP39, which slowly delivers very small amounts of this gas specifically to the mitochondria,” University of Exeter Professor Matt Whitman said in a statement. "Our results indicate that if stressed cells are treated with AP39, mitochondria are protected and cells stay alive.”

While this experiment was limited to cell exposure in a lab—as opposed to humans inhaling the scent of rotten eggs- the University of Exeter researchers say that they are "working toward advancing the research to a stage where it can be tested in humans.”

Dr. Mark Wood, another one of the Exeter researchers, went so far as to call the compound a "healthcare hero with significant implications for future therapies for a variety of diseases” in a university press release.This research is interesting but preliminary. While no conclusions can be made at this time, may this news let you wince just a little bit less the next time you’re assaulted by a rotten-egg smell.

By Laura Stampler Jul 11, 2014 Published at TIME ( http://time.com/2976464/scientists-say-smelling-farts-might-prevent-cancer/)

Oler ventosidades previene el cáncer y el ataque al corazón, según un 'curioso' estudio

Las flatulencias tienen componentes que en pequeñas dosis pueden ser beneficiosos para el ser humano. Si tienes un amigo al que le gusta compartir contigo sus flatulencias ya tiene un motivo no solo para seguir haciéndolo, sino para poder llegar a estar orgulloso de ello.

La Universidad de Exeter ha conseguido ser noticia en todo el mundo gracias a uno de sus descubrimientos, un estudio que concluye que puede ser beneficioso oler esos nobles gases, que no gases nobles, que se escapan por el lugar donde la espalda pierde su nombre.
Este experimento demuestra que los pedos poseen determinados componentes, como el sulfuro de hidrógeno, que pueden resultar beneficiosos a la hora de evitar un daño mitocondrial y prevenir riesgos de cáncer o ataques al corazón. Pero es conveniente no ser avaricioso, pues solo causa beneficios en pequeñas dosis.
No cabe duda de que este estudio ya se ha posicionado como claro favorito de cara al prestigioso premio IG Nobel (no confundir con el aburrido y poco relevante Premio Nobel), este galardón homenajea desde 1991 a los más bizarros descubrimientos científicos.
En los más de 20 años que lleva celebrándose esta gala que aglutina la mayoría de disciplinas científicas se han galardonado diferentes estudios que seguramente no dejen indiferente a nadie.