What do candy and fluorescent-colored beverages have in common with the treatment of spinal cord injuries? Well, according to new research out of Rochester, New York, they might have a lot. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has found that the dye Brilliant Blue G (BBG), which is both structurally and functionally similar to the dye used in some processed foods, might actually help prevent the secondary damage that commonly follows a traumatic injury to the spine.

BBG works by preventing what happens within hours after the spinal cord incurs damage, whereby a series of molecular events take place that lead to increased secondary damage and as a consequence, greater paralysis. The molecular events in question involve the energy source commonly known as ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. ATP is used by every cell in our body to fuel metabolic processes.

When an injury occurs to the spine, ATP is flooded into the surrounding tissue at levels hundreds of time higher than usual. The otherwise normal and healthy neurons are over-stimulated by this massive dose of ATP and subsequently die from metabolic stress. In other words, they literally overdose on too much of a good thing. Spinal neurons are particularly sensitive to ATP because they are covered with a receptor (P2X7R), also known as the death receptor, that binds ATP..

What doctors found was that by injecting a compound (oxidized ATP) that blocked ATP’s effects, they could essentially stop those secondary injuries from occurring. In animal models, the use of this “ATP-blocker” actually helped animals with damaged spines to regain much of the functionality of their limbs.

The compound, however, had two major shortcomings. First, the use of oxidized ATP required a sticking a needle into a severely injured spine, which is something doctors do not want to do for fear of exacerbating the damage. And second, oxidized ATP could have toxic side effects if it were administered into the blood.

With the discovery of BBG, which is a known P2X7R antagonist, researchers may have found an alternative that can be administered systemically, moving them one step closer to a safe and effective treatment option. The authors caution, however, that it could be years before they are ready to test it in people. Furthermore, the procedure would only work if it were administered within hours of the injury.

Interestingly, BBG is similar in structure and function to FD&C blue dye No. 1, which has been used as a food additive for the past 25 years. It is estimated that over 1 million pounds of the dye are consumed in the U.S. every year, with the average American ingesting 16 mg each day, which just might make us view those snack foods that we eat a little differently.