The body has the capability to repair damaged cells and their DNAs (Deoxyribonucleic acid). A new study reveals the ways on how some parts of the body can repair their DNAs like the heart, kidneys, spleen, testes and the lungs. However, the brain lack this ability.
The study, which was carried out by researchers from the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was published in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology.
In the study, researchers said that tissue repair may not be the same in all parts of the body. Since the brain lacks this ability, it can cause memory loss or dementia in the long run.
The researchers studied the process of nucleotide excision repair (NER). NER is a type of DNA repair characterized by its ability to mend areas of the DNA that contain unwanted additional molecules that may alter the DNA helix and hinder the process of DNA replication during mitosis.
Also, it occurs due to cancer-causing adducts such as ultraviolet rays and oxidative stress. NER is a complex process that requires high levels of metabolic power and energies by the cell.
Jean Latimer, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the College of Pharmacy at NSU and pioneer researcher along with her colleagues discovered that the heart is the organ with the best ability to repair damaged DNA using NER. Other organs followed such as the gut, kidneys, spleen, testes and lungs, as reported by Health Central.
However, they theorized that the brain does not prioritize DNA and tissue repair.
To reach their findings, they took mouse cell tissues from the different organs and were exposed to ultraviolet rays. For their control, skin cells were utilized.
They also explained that perhaps because the brain is not exposed to light, it carries out more important functions than repairing itself. It shows the brain's selfless mechanism because it does everything for the body first before saving itself from harm.
Prof. Latimer added, "The human body was not designed to live past 30 or 40 years, so our brains haven't prioritized DNA repair over other necessary functions."
She added, "Our brains are frequently not physically prepared to last as long as medical science is now allowing our bodies to live. These findings could help explain a root cause behind memory loss and dementia."
