Heart damage prevention hope

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US researchers have identified a protein which reduces the extent of damage caused by a heart attack and may prove useful during bypass surgery.

Higher levels of the ALDH2 enzyme were found in rats resistant to heart muscle damage caused by a lack of oxygen.

Boosting levels of the enzyme before initiating a heart attack in the animals cut the amount of dead heart tissue by 60%, the Science study said.

ALDH2 is usually involved in breaking down alcohol in the body.

During a heart attack, a clot blocks blood flow to the heart.

The lack of oxygen and build up of toxins causes tissue to die.

This is also a danger during coronary bypass surgery, when blood flow is redirected to allow surgeons to operate.

Although this enzyme was discovered a long time ago, my research group knew nothing about it except that it helps remove alcohol when people drink Dr Daria Mochly-Rosen

Once the researchers worked out that ALDH2 seemed to reduce damage to heart tissue they screened a variety of molecules which would increase its production.

One, Alda-1, was particularly effective and may be a potential drug target should the findings be replicated in humans, they said.

It is thought the protective effect is due to the removal of cell-damaging molecules, known as free-radicals, by ALDH2.

The researchers said their findings also have implications for current treatments.

Nitroglycerin, a drug given to widen arteries and improve blood flow in people with chest pain, is converted to its active form by ALDH2 but prolonged use of the nitroglycerin can reduce the presence of the enzyme, potentially increasing damage to the heart.

Enzyme mutation

The Alda-1 molecule was able to keep enzyme levels high during nitroglycerin treatment reducing the amount of damage.

This would be particularly important in patients from East Asia who have a mutation in the ALDH2 enzyme, making it less efficient the researchers said.

"Although this enzyme was discovered a long time ago, my research group knew nothing about it except that it helps remove alcohol when people drink," said study leader Dr Daria Mochly-Rosen, a researcher at Stanford University Medical Center.

"We've found a totally new pathway for reducing the damage caused by free-radicals, such as the damage that happens during a heart attack."

Judy O'Sullivan, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said the "interesting finding" could potentially be of great benefit to patients.

"However, it will take many years before this could be confirmed in humans and then several more years before it would lead to the development of drug treatment to be used in clinical practice."