focusme
Key protein discovered in heart to reduce damage from attack, improve survival rates
| Researchers discovered how one key protein in the heart can act as the knight in shining armor, reducing the damage from the attack, which could improve survival rates and heart function in those who do survive. |
| In a heart attack, a series of biochemical processes leave the heart damaged, much like a car after an accident. There is loss of tissue that needs to be rebuilt, proteins that get crushed, muscle damage, and interruptions to blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Because the heart is not very good at repairing itself, it is important to discover ways to minimize damage in the first place. |
| Researchers discovered how one key protein in the heart can act as the knight in shining armor, reducing the damage from the attack, which could improve survival rates and heart function in those who do survive. |
| After an attack, many patients have stents put in to open up blocked arteries, which helps in the long term. But the surge of oxygen has drawbacks as well. "The oxygen surge that occurs as soon as the stent is implanted `stuns` the heart cells and some of them die, which increases irreparable damage to the heart. We found a protein that can minimize the stunning," said Researchers |
| Typically, proteins have a three-dimensional shape which enables them to do their job so the heart functions properly. If this shape is lost, heart function is impacted."Think of misfolded proteins like a salvage yard full of crushed automobiles. They were beautifully structured and highly functional at one point, but they become this misshapen mass. In a way, the same thing happens to proteins, either when they`re old, or when they experience stress, like a car in a collision," Researchers said. |