.
Subscribe to our Voices Dispatches email to receive a comprehensive summary of the top opinions from the week.
Subscribe to our complimentary Voices newsletter, delivered every week.
Recent studies have the potential to advance the development of treatment for vaginal yeast infections by providing insight into the mechanisms by which microbes in the body utilize zinc.
The infection, also known as thrush, is a result of the yeast Candida.
There are several types of Candida, however, the one responsible for the majority of yeast infections is Candida albicans.
Recent studies have revealed that the essential mineral zinc may have an unexpected impact on combating infections.
Frequent episodes of thrush can cause significant distress and complications, highlighting the urgent need for innovative treatments.
Similar to humans, Candida albicans requires zinc in its diet. This type of yeast creates a substance that seeks out and consumes zinc as a source of nourishment.
The molecule was discovered to activate an inflammatory reaction, which is thought to be the cause of numerous instances of thrush.
Based on the results, a gel containing zinc has the ability to alleviate symptoms caused by the body’s immune response and can also protect against future infections.
Experts propose that the straightforwardness and convenience of the treatment imply that it could be promptly adapted as a much-needed remedy for the infections, which impact 75% of women in their childbearing years.
Dr. Duncan Wilson, a senior fellow at the Wellcome Trust and researcher at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, was the leader of this study.
He stated that experiencing recurring cases of thrush can be highly distressing and troublesome, and there is a pressing need for innovative treatment options.
We have made a thrilling discovery about zinc which indicates that providing zinc could prevent the production of the inflammatory Pra1 molecule. However, we are not able to make any treatment recommendations at this time.
“We must conduct trials on a larger scale to validate the impact. Please refrain from using any products not intended for the genital area, as excessive amounts of zinc can be harmful and pose a significant risk.”
Approximately 75% of women experience infections at least once in their lifetime. According to experts, around 140 million women worldwide struggle with recurring infections that can significantly affect their overall well-being.
Current methods for treating fungal infections may not always be successful and there is a growing issue of resistance to these treatments.
During laboratory experiments, the researchers discovered that altering the genes of Candida albicans to not produce the Pra1 molecule effectively prevented inflammation.
The research revealed that administering small amounts of zinc in mice inhibited the creation of the molecule and halted inflammation.
This is significant because inflammation is the root cause of the burning and itching sensations experienced in cases of thrush.
The group of researchers also enlisted women who had been suffering from vaginal infections at least once every three months.
The women used Juvia vaginal moisturising cream, which is currently available in the EU but not in the UK. The cream contains a small amount of zinc and was applied nightly for two weeks, followed by twice a week.
Out of the six women who participated in the study and had thrush, five of them did not have a recurrence during the three-month period of the study.
Although the sample size was small, Dr. Wilson expressed optimism about the results.
We are currently conducting a larger clinical study to verify the effectiveness of zinc treatments.
“In the future, we aim for this to be a potential approach for a condition that may develop resistance to treatment.”
The research was supported by Wellcome and conducted by the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter. The results were published in Science Translational Medicine.
Source: independent.co.uk
