This is a article I found that talks about how the blue dye that is used in M&M's and Gatorade can improve conditions of patients with spinal injuries.
Doctors in hospitals see all these people with spinal injuries who may never walk or talk again and yet, they have nothing that can even help with the condition. There may be a solution to this problem in the near future.
Scientists found that when they gave the compound, Brilliant Blue G (BBG)- a similar substance to food dye used in sweets and sports drinks - to rats with spinal injuries, they were able to walk again, although with a limp. The only side effect that came about was that the rat temporarily turned blue.
A molecule called P2X7 is what causes the disabilities in patients with spinal injuries. The BBG could prevent the P2X7 from functioning the way it normally would, therefore reducing the severity of the conditions. This means that a rat that would otherwise not be able to walk or make noises would now be able to make noises and walk with a limp. It is not a full cure, but it helps.
As of right now, 85% of patients that are admitted to the hospital with spinal injuries go untreated. The other 15% are being treated with steroids, that may, or may not help their condition. If scientists could determine how to get treatment to those patients, even it if doesn't totally cure the injury, it would be better to be 75% healed than not at all.
In order for the BBG to work to its full potential, it would have to be administered shortly after the accident. This is because if the P2X7 is given time to react, it will take over before the BBG even gets into the body. It would have to be something that is given before the patient gets to the hospital.
Scientists are currently working on putting together an application to be sent to the FDA to get permission to begin testing on humans. The goal is to get a medication that will decrease secondary damage that we would otherwise have to expect and not be able to do anything about.
That's awesome. They turn temporarily blue. :) I could live with that side effect if it meant the difference between walking again and not.
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