Originally published July 11 2005
Asthma drug may prevent miscarriages
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Some miscarriages may be linked to a natural reaction that prevents an invasion of fetal cells that might trigger cancer in the mother, and scientists have found that the steroid drug prednisolone can dramatically cut the numbers of these cells in women with a history of miscarriages.
An asthma drug that tones down the immune system in the womb might provide a cheap solution to recurrent miscarriages, according to new research.
Experts believe that unexplained miscarriages may be linked to a natural reaction that prevents an invasion of foetal cells which might trigger cancer in the mother.
If the protection goes too far, it could end up terminating the pregnancy.
An unusual surge in the numbers of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells is seen in the wombs of women who suffer from recurrent miscarriages.
Natural killer cells are specialised white blood cells that destroy foreign invaders, and are thought to be central to the protection mechanism.
Scientists have found that the steroid drug prednisolone can dramatically cut the numbers of uNK cells in women with a history of miscarriages.
Further research is needed to determine what impact treatment with prednisolone has on miscarriage risk, but early results are highly promising.
Prednisolone is widely used to treat asthma and eczema.
Its side-effects are well-known and it is cheap.
Dr Siobhan Quenby, of the Department of Developmental and Reproductive Medicine at the University of Liverpool, whose team made the discovery, said: "A randomised controlled trial of prednisolone for the prevention of miscarriage is urgently needed and I am in the process of setting one up.
"This is very exciting data, but the research is at a preliminary stage, so I cannot recommend it to patients without a proper trial."
Dr Quenby presented her findings yesterday at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Biology in Copenhagen.
She focused on prednisolone after the drug was experimentally given to a woman who had suffered 19 miscarriages.
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