Proteins show promise in reducing risks of further heart damage
Newcastle University’s compelling new research shows anti-inflammatory molecules reduce the scar size on the heart, leading to improved chances of long-term cardiac function.
Newcastle University researchers have unveiled promising findings indicating that proteins could play a pivotal role in reducing the risk of further heart damage. Their groundbreaking study revealed a significant correlation between decreased scar size on the heart and the presence of anti-inflammatory molecules, specifically TGFβ1, in the blood of STEMI patients following reperfusion. Through experimentation on a mouse model of heart attack, the team discovered that two anti-inflammatory proteins, HpTGM and TGFβ1, displayed remarkable potential in diminishing scarring and inflammatory responses in the damaged heart. These proteins, derived from different sources, exhibited similar positive effects, suggesting promising therapeutic avenues. Administering these molecules during reperfusion demonstrated notable benefits, potentially mitigating further heart damage and improving long-term cardiac function. Professor Helen Arthur from Newcastle University emphasized the significance of these findings, highlighting the potential of HpTGM as a novel anti-inflammatory therapy for heart attack patients, pending further translational studies.
