British scientists discover enzymethate that regenerates nerves in damaged spinal cord

British scientists have discovered a bacterial enzymecalled chondroitinase, whichdigests molecularin damaged tissue in the spinal cord,to regenerate part of the nerve fibersPreliminary tests by a team of researcher
s at the University of Cambridge in theshow editingthatthe cartilage enzyme improves the plasticity of nerves,the potential to bypass damaged nerve fibers and generate new connections, the BBC reported WednesdayThe researchers say current studies have shown that combining chinton enzymes with rehabilitation exercises may be better than using any single method, though the findings have yet to be tested in clinical trialsNerve fibers in the skin or muscles can regenerate after being cut off or damaged, but the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and the central nervous system of the brain cannot repair themselves because they are closed to scar tissue formed in the damaged part of the spinal cord and then lose contact with other nerve cells, leading to paralysis or loss of perceptionJames Fawcett, who led the study, said: "Chondroinase gives us two hopes: first, it can regenerate some nerve fibers, and second, it enables other nerves to act as nerve fibers that cannot be repairedCombined with rehabilitation exercise, we are hopeful that we will eventually find a cure that improves the living conditions of the paralysed"