The hottest Pharmacology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics
2nd Smartest Guy in the World 4992 implied HN points 08 Jan 24
  1. Ivermectin has at least 15 anti-cancer mechanisms of action.
  2. Studies suggest Ivermectin can treat a variety of cancers.
  3. High doses of Ivermectin, possibly combined with Fenbendazole, may be beneficial for treating cancer.
Grey Goose Chronicles 786 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Aboriginal Australians have a unique way of consuming tobacco with varying effects and health benefits.
  2. Quinine has a rich history in colonial expansion and fighting malaria, while caffeine might hold potential as an antimalarial drug.
  3. Genetic conditions like G6PD deficiency in sub-Saharan Africans show adaptations to malaria, impacting medical treatments and outcomes.
Axial 7 implied HN points 31 Jan 25
  1. New antibodies were created that can specifically block integrins, which are important for cell functions like attachment and signaling. This may lead to better treatments for diseases.
  2. Researchers found that different β subunits bind preferentially to the αV subunit in integrins. Understanding these pairings helps explain how integrins work in the body.
  3. The antibodies developed through this study can directly compete with small molecules that normally bind to integrins. This opens the door for more precise therapies in the future.
Eat Shit and Prosper 519 implied HN points 19 Nov 23
  1. The human brain has many neurotransmitters that affect how we feel, much like how different tastes shape our eating experience. Just as tasting food can change our mood, our brain's chemistry can influence our emotions.
  2. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax, were discovered to help with anxiety before scientists fully understood how they worked. They enhance the effects of a natural calming neurotransmitter called GABA, but researchers are still figuring out if our bodies have natural versions of these calming substances.
  3. Gut bacteria might play a role in anxiety by producing compounds that assist with brain function. If these helpful bacteria are reduced or absent, it could lead to anxiety disorders, suggesting that restoring these good bacteria could help some people.
Tripsitter 119 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Tianeptine is sold as an antidepressant in many countries but is unregulated in the US, marketed as a nootropic, Kratom alternative, and opioid withdrawal remedy.
  2. Improper use of tianeptine can lead to addiction, withdrawals, and even fatalities, emphasizing the importance of education, moderation, and avoiding marketing gimmicks.
  3. Tianeptine's mechanism of action is complex and debated, with conflicting research on how it works in the brain, indicating potential cognitive benefits but also addiction risks.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Tripsitter 159 implied HN points 09 Dec 23
  1. Ketamine is a "dirty drug" with unique effects on the body and mind, causing dissociation and a powerful anesthetic effect, but with fewer side effects compared to other anesthetics.
  2. Ketamine shows promise as a rapid and unique antidepressant, working on neuroplasticity and enhancing brain recovery, although its mechanisms and effectiveness vary among individuals.
  3. Ketamine has analgesic properties, particularly effective for certain pain conditions like the wind-up phenomenon, through its action on NMDA receptors in the spinal cord.
Tripsitter 219 implied HN points 08 Sep 23
  1. Regulators have targeted kratom in attempts to ban it, but public backlash has prevented complete bans so far.
  2. Kratom is seen as a tool for harm reduction due to its potential as an alternative to prescription painkillers, but it carries risks and should be used carefully.
  3. Misinformation and misrepresentation of kratom-related deaths have fueled the stigma around the plant, highlighting the need for proper regulation and education rather than outright bans.
Eat Shit and Prosper 479 implied HN points 04 Feb 23
  1. Taking antibiotics might increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies from Denmark show that anyone who gets a prescription for antibiotics has a higher chance of being diagnosed with MS later.
  2. There is a potential connection between certain bacteria in our gut and MS. One particular bacteria, _Clostridium perfringens_, may produce a toxin that damages the cells responsible for protecting nerves in the brain.
  3. Understanding MS as a complex interaction between bacteria, antibiotics, and the immune system can lead to new treatments. There are even hopes for using therapies like fecal transplants or targeted therapies to help those suffering from MS.
LatchBio 20 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  1. Antibiotic resistance is a big problem, and many drug companies are not making new antibiotics anymore. Machine learning can help find new antibiotics by quickly searching through lots of compounds.
  2. In a study, researchers looked at 250,000 chemical compounds to find potential antibiotics that target a specific enzyme in harmful bacteria. This shows how technology can speed up the drug discovery process.
  3. Finding new antibiotics is really important for health, especially as bacteria become more resistant. Using advanced tools to identify promising compounds could save time and money in developing new treatments.
Holodoxa 79 implied HN points 26 Dec 23
  1. In hereditary cancer, mutations in tumor suppressor genes are more common than in oncogenes, and a second hit is often required for cancer to develop.
  2. The RET gene, an oncogene, is associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) and can lead to various clinical conditions depending on the mutation type.
  3. Mutations in oncogenes like RET can be targeted with drugs, leading to effective treatments for cancers like medullary thyroid cancer, showing the clinical impact of genetic research beyond diagnosis.
Axial 7 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  1. Kidney disease, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), has been underinvested compared to other conditions like oncology and diabetes.
  2. The development of drugs targeting GPCRs PC-1 and PC-2 in PKD could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by reducing cyst size.
  3. Business models in drug development are shifting towards rare disease candidates like PC-1/2, emphasizing treatments that exceed the current standard of care.
Nano Thoughts 0 implied HN points 04 Apr 24
  1. Transfer learning allows computers to use knowledge from one area to help in another. This approach helps in drug development by applying what we've learned from studying animals to predict how those drugs might affect humans.
  2. Gene reactomes help us compare how genes respond to drugs across different species. This means we can identify which genes may act similarly in humans and animals, leading to safer drug development.
  3. The Universal Gene Embedding framework acts like a translator for genetic information. It allows scientists to understand gene functions across species, making it easier to predict how drugs will work in humans based on animal studies.