Stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers are only some of the diseases that could eventually lead to death. But did you know that there is but one common denominator among all these illnesses? These are all the effects of free radicals.
With all these diseases, it is indeed undeniable how free radicals can be dangerous to the body, as reported by Live Science. These byproducts of oxygen metabolism are said to be very toxic and could even cause damages to healthy cells. Good thing we have antioxidants. These substances are what covers the body against the negative effects of these toxins.
Because of the efficiency of these antioxidants in combating free radicals, experts have been aggressive in working hand in hand to search for every possible source of it. After several studies, experts have finally been successful in finding an unexpected and amazing source.
The new study, which was posted in Medical News Today, was led by the scientists at Rice University in Houston, TX, the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center, and the Texas A&M Health Science Center. These experts have finally found a common source that could fight oxidative stress. That is coal.
Years ago, several experts discovered there is an antioxidant that can be derived from graphene quantum dots (GQDs), a substance that can be extracted from common coal. With this discovery, the scientists behind the recent study were able to manipulate the substance to create something that could combat oxidative stress in a cheaper but still effective way.
After several trials, based on the study posted in the ACS Applied Material & Interfaces journal, the experts finally came up with a solution after adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) to these coal-derived quantum dots. That was after they witnessed positive results to the rodents they've tested.
To see the results of the study, several rodents were given different coal dots concentration. Through observation, researchers were able to witness how rodents that were given a dosage 15 minutes after adding hydrogen peroxide, which is a substance that can effectively induce oxidative stress, showed a positive response.
There are two kinds of coal that were used in the study where researchers have extracted quantum dots. These two coals include anthracite and bituminous coal. Through the results of the study, experts found that among the two, quantum dots from anthracite coal is much more effective in preserving more cells even with just a minimum quantity.
Though researchers believe there are still so much to discover regarding this study, James Tour, one of the chemists at Rice University, has his faith focused on it. The expert believes that in the future, with this discovery, the future society will be healthier and will be able to live a longer life.
