Health Highlights: June 10, 2007

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments,compiled by editors ofHealthDay:

5.7 Million Pounds of Meat Suspected of Having E.Coli Recalled

A California meat supplier has recalled almost 6 million pounds of ground beef in 11 Western states because of the possibility it may contain the E. coli bacterium, which causes stomach cramps and diarrhea.

TheAssociated Pressreports that 14 cases of E. coli reported last April are linked to the fresh and frozen ground beef distributed by United Food Group, LLC. The acting administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection service told the wire service Saturday that some of the 5.7 million pounds of recalled meat may have found its way into consumers' homes.

"It is important for consumers to look in their freezers," David Goldman said, adding that none of the meat is in stores because it was distributed between Apr. 6 and Apr. 20, and its expiration date has long passed.

All the patients who reported having the E.coli infection have recovered, according to theA.P.. The states where the meat was carried are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. It was sold under the brand names Moran's All Natural, Miller Meat Company, Stater Bros., Trader Joes Butcher Shop,Inter-American Products, Inc., and Basha's.

United Food Group's hot line is 1-800-325-4164. TheA.P.reports that the USDA said consumers should either throw away the meat or return it to the store where they bought it for a refund.

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Hypertension Drug Shows Paromise as Parkinson's Treatment

A drug that treats high blood pressure may be able to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Scientists at Northwestern University report that he drug isradipine appears to rejuvenate older dopamine cells in the brain. It is the death of these cells and their transmission of neurons that is believed to cause Parkinson's, which produces tremors and ultimately, lack of a person's ability to control his or her movements.

According to a university press release, lead researcher Dr. D. James Surmeier and his team of scientists found that isradipine restores dying dopamine neurons. In the laboratory experiment performed on animals, isradipine (commercial name DynaCirc) protected dopamine neurons from toxins that would normally kill them by restoring the neurons to a younger state in which they are less vulnerable.