Dr James Nadel has published a literature review in the European Society of Cardiology’s journal Cardiovascular Research which explores the role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in cardiovascular disease. Particular focus was on unstable atherosclerotic plaque, a major cause of heart attack and stroke.
MPO is a naturally occurring enzyme in the body, but it can cause damage to its host via oxidative stress, a process that drives inflammation and tissue damage. MPO has long been implicated in cardiovascular disease, but recent evidence suggests it plays a specific role in plaque destabilisation.
The review explores the underlying process of MPO, its role in atherosclerosis, and how MPO may be targeted using diagnostic tools and therapies to treat people at risk of cardiovascular disease before events occur.
