La Force is proud to announce its participation in the funding of a promising research project on osteoprotegerin, also known as “OPG”.
Invited to Boston by the Duchenne Alliance specialists (Duchenne Alliance is an international grouping of 40 foundations), Professor Jérôme Frenette, of the Laval University Rehabilitation Department, recently presented promising work he is doing with his team, based at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec on osteoprotegerin (OPG).
La Force Foundation joined four other foundations, including Ryan’s Quest (USA), Michael’s Cause (USA), Pietro’s Fight (USA), and Save Our Sons(AUS) to help co-fund the start-up phase of this drug development project. Together, our foundations work to identify and support the most promising biomedical research around the world.
What exactly is osteoprotegerin?
OPG is a protein well known for its protective role against osteoporosis, hence its name, osteoprotegerin.
Based in Québec City, the Laval University Faculty of Medicine team recently demonstrated that this protein could well represent a new avenue of treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
It had been observed in the past that there was a link between bone metabolism and that of muscles. For example, muscle atrophy and bone resorption occur in synchronicity in astronauts, as well as people who are bedridden or afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. No doubt that muscle contractions are important for maintaining bone quality, but the new findings lead researchers to believe that these two physically related tissues could well be controlled in part by the OPG.
The Laval University team was able to demonstrate that daily injections of OPG for a ten-day period had a more than beneficial effect, increasing the strength of contractions by 60 to 230% and significantly reducing structural damage and inflammation in dystrophic mice. The results are all the more encouraging that they do bring about real hopes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
[av_testimonials style=’slider’ columns=’2′ interval=’5′ font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=”] [av_testimonial_single src=” name=’Dr. Jérôme Frenette’ subtitle=” link=’http://’ linktext=”] “If we get the cooperation of a pharmaceutical company, we could move quickly to clinical studies of patients with muscle diseases. “[/av_testimonial_single] [/av_testimonials]
Science is hope!
If there is one thing that it is important to keep in mind and that underscores everything we do at La Force, it’s that hope lies first and foremost in science, that is, in the new treatments currently being developed and the ones to come in the foreseeable future.
Since all your donations are used, in one way or another, to promote or accelerate research and access to drugs, they definitely do contribute to bringing children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy ever closer to a cure.
Professor Frenette and his team were able to demonstrate the validity of their initial assumptions and of the promising research paths they want to take in the short term. This is why we are more than proud to support them. The fact that this research project has its foundations here in Québec, is an additional element of pride for us.
So, as an initial contribution to this project, La Force presented a cheque for $ 5,000 to Laval University, linking its donation to the OPG research project.
See full Le Fil magazine article HERE + Short English version
The Business Journals HERE
Yahoo! Finance HERE
La Force is also very proud to participate in the funding of this project along with four other foundations. Additional financial support is needed to complete the project; foundations or individuals are encouraged to contact La Force if they would like to directly support this project through donations.
Once again… There is strength in unity.
