Hidden from sight, our cells battle challenges such as their environment, bacteria, viruses, too much or too little oxygen, and physiological stressors. Molecular systems protect cells under assault, but those systems can break down, especially with age.

To better understand how cells are protected from stress and damage, a team led by Northwestern University researchers studied the effect of resveratrol, a beneficial chemical found in red wine, on human cells in tissue culture.

The findings may help explain what happens in neurodegenerative diseases, which are age-related, when cell protection fails, proteins misfold, lots of damage accumulates and the system falls apart.

The researchers discovered a new molecular relationship critical to keeping cells healthy across a long span of time: a protein called SIRT1, important for caloric restriction and lifespan and activated by resveratrol, regulates heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), keeping it active. HSF1 in turn senses the presence of damaged proteins in the cell and elevates the expression of molecular chaperones to keep a cell’s proteins in a folded, functional state. Regulation of this pathway has a direct beneficial effect to cells, the research shows.

This role of SIRT1 — a protein already of great interest to pharmaceutical companies — was not previously known. The results will be published in the Feb. 20 issue of the journal Science.

“When SIRT1 levels are high, you are in a high-protection mode,” said Richard I. Morimoto, Bill and Gayle Cook Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology in Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. He led the research team.

“Ironically, triggering the stress response and perhaps maintaining the cell in a protective state over a long period of time can keep cells healthy,” said Morimoto. “The cell is protected against an accumulation of damage when HSF1 is more active.”

SIRT1 levels decrease as humans age, Morimoto explains. Cells can’t respond to stress as well. This decrease in SIRT1 may help explain why protein misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and adult-onset diabetes, are diseases of aging.

“We now have a powerful way to think about addressing neurodegenerative diseases,” said Morimoto. “We have identified a pathway that can be manipulated to alter lifespan. Discovering this new basis for therapeutics is very exciting.”

“For me, the bottom line is now I can travel to Germany to visit my grandkids,” said Trixie Robinson, an oxygen patient in Carlsbad. “Before the Eclipse, I had to arrange for oxygen tanks wherever I was going. Now I just buy a plane ticket and go.”

Developed over five years at a cost of $12 million, the Eclipse weighs 17 pounds, has a retractable handle and wheels for mobility, and is about the size of a student’s backpack. It was designed to fit easily under standard airplane seats. Prior to the Eclipse, patients needing continuous flow oxygen were required to make arrangements for the delivery of multiple oxygen cylinders or to ship large stationary concentrators to their destination and pay extra fees for oxygen onboard the airplane.

In addition to oxygen patients, oxygen providers also stand to benefit from the FAA decision.

“Now, when we have a patient going on a long trip, we just give them an Eclipse,” said Jim Karls, President of Halprin, Inc., a provider in upstate New York. “The Eclipse gives us a simple solution to what used to be a very complicated logistical problem.”

The new Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR 106) ruling that allows airline passengers to use their Eclipse onboard became effective on September 12, 2006.

“This is also good news for the airlines because of the light weight, portability and safety of the Eclipse when compared to cylinders,” said Jim Bixby, SeQual CEO. “The Eclipse runs on battery power and is the only portable concentrator with continuous-flow capability, the standard for long-term oxygen therapy patients. Also, it’s much quieter when compared to other concentrators – an important attribute for travelers.”

Vernon Pertelle, a member of the SeQual board who has more than 20 years experience in the field, most recently as corporate director of respiratory care and HME services at Apria Healthcare, said the approval marks a significant step in improving the quality of life for oxygen patients.

“They can be un-tethered from old technology and have their therapeutic needs met wherever they go — from home, to car, to RV, to train or airplane,” said Pertelle. “They now have a portable with both continuous and pulse flow – integral to meeting their needs.”

About SeQual Technologies Inc. Founded in 1991, SeQual offers a family of innovative products ranging from the 3 LPM (liter-per-minute) continuous flow portable Eclipseâ„¢ to its popular, compact, easy-to-use bedside 10 LPM unit. More than 80,000 oxygen systems in use today rely on SeQual’s proven technology. SeQual’s air separation systems are used for industrial applications such as water purification, oxygenation for aquaculture, producing feed gas for ozone generators, or for any other processes needing high-purity, dry oxygen or nitrogen on site. SeQual is a private company based in San Diego. For information on the Sequal Eclipse Portable Oxygen Concentrator