retinoic acid

[hegy]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-204532/Vitamin-cure-emphysema.html

[zar]

The Lancet, Volume 349, Issue 9066, Page 1675, 7 June 1997

Retinoic acid reverses emphysema in rat model
Original TextMichael McCarthy
All- trans retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A derivative, reverses emphysema in an animal model of the disease, report US researchers ( Nat Med 1997; 3 : 675?77). ?This is the first time that anyone has identified a means of reversing emphysema?, says Claude Lenfant, director of the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. ?It could lead to the development of an agent for treating lung diseases like emphysema and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.?

[barbara]

Unfortunately, it does not look like the latest UK study showed that any benefit came from the retinoic acid. I believe there are still a couple of other studies going on, but don't hold your breath on this as a cure. Dang it all anyway.