Human serum potential improvements

Effect As discussed in the previous section, DNA-protein cross links and anti-formaldehyde-human serum albumin IgG antibodies are potential biomarkers of effect and exposure. Whereas detection of these biomarkers can represent biological responses to repeated exposure to formaldehyde (the first is not specific to formaldehyde, but the second is), it is uncertain to what degree their detection indicates that adverse health effects will occur. Further research on relationships between formaldehyde-induced upper respiratory tract tissue damage and/or dysfunction and (1) DNA-protein cross links in either white blood cells or nasal biopsy tissue or (2) levels of formaldehyde-specific IgG antibodies may help in determining if improved detection methods are needed. 

Genetic manipulation (GM) also offers the prospect of healthier animals with improved resistance to diseases such as mastitis or to the ticks that can infest cattle, thus reducing the need for antibiotics and pesticides. Medicines may be produced in the milk of cows. For example, GM cows could produce milk with a clotting factor for hemophiliacs, milk containing human serum albumin for blood transfusions, or milk with a hepatitis vaccine. Several of these medicines could be produced much more efficiently than with the technologies currently used. Some of the potential changes that can be brought about in milk are listed in Table 1. 

Leptin is a peptide hormone secreted by adipocytes. Recombinant human leptin has been investigated for its potential as an antiobesity agent [105,106]. Women with hypothalamic amenorrhea display reduced levels of leptin. Leptin administration to these women improves reproductive and neuroendocrine function [107], Nasal administration of leptin to rats in the presence of either TDM (1) or LPC [108] caused a significant increase in serum leptin levels. Increased serum leptin levels were associated with reduced food consumption [108], The development of an effective nasal formulation of leptin containing an absorption enhancer may allow more frequent dosing with leptin and thereby overcome the limited efficacy observed following subcutaneous injections of large doses of this hormone. 

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