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Protein Injections key to Preventing Heart Attacks
Short-term injections of HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol, may provide significant protection against heart disease according to the latest findings from the Heart Research Institute (HRI).
HRI research, presented at the International Atherosclerosis Society’s HDL Workshop, has shown that a short-term series of injections of apolipoprotein A-IV is effective in preventing plaque rupture, which is the major cause of heart attack and strokes.
“In our tests we were able to establish a strong result from a series of just four protein injections,” head of the HRI Cell Biology Group, Dr Ken Rodgers said.
“This is the first time this protein has been tested in this way and it has shown a remarkable ability to stabilise plaques in arteries.
“High levels of HDL have a direct link to heart disease and stroke and these findings show the huge potential benefits for high risk patients of acute HDL therapy.”
Dr Rodgers said the build-up of fats and cholesterols in the walls of the arteries causes blood vessels to become restricted by fatty deposits, known as plaques.
Over time, these plaques become fragile and eventually rupture, blocking blood flow to the heart or brain and leading to a heart attack or stroke.
“During the 2-week series of apoA-IV injections into mice, we observed a significant reduction in the occurrence of plaque rupture –preventing the chain of events that can lead to heart attack and death.
“We have seen these injections also accelerate the healing process of damaged blood vessels.
“Clearly these findings provide the foundation for a preventative treatment for heart attack by stopping potential plaque rupture.”
The HRI findings were presented at the 6th International Atherosclerosis Society Workshop on High Density Lipoproteins in Whistler, Canada. This workshop is the largest international meeting devoted specifically to HDL research and therapeutics and is held every three years.
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