This stuff may stop your body from clearing bad cholesterol

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In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers found a long-sought link in the battle to control cholesterol and heart disease.

They found a protein that interferes with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that clear ‘bad’ cholesterol from the blood.

The study is from the University of Alberta. One author is Dawei Zhang.

Excess LDL cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis—a narrowing and hardening of arteries—and ultimately, heart attack.

Scientists have known for many years that these receptors could be cleaved, but nobody knew which protein was responsible. There had been several attempts around the world but nobody else was successful.

A cholesterol-reducing class of drugs called statins—Lipitor and Crestor are two well-known brand names—has been shown to reduce cardiac events by 20% to 40%, but they have side effects that mean they can’t be given in high enough doses to work for everyone.

In the study, the team focused on the role of the protein—membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase—by accident while studying another protein involved in heart function.

They examined the specific region within the protein that acts on the LDL receptor. They then repeated and confirm their findings in mouse, rat, and human cells.

Now the researchers are at work to find a drug to target the protein, allowing the receptors to clear more LDL. The new drug would be used in combination with statins to boost their effect.

The protein has other critical physiological functions, such as cancer tumor invasion.

The team is also working with a new technique to further target their potential drug so it will work only within the liver, further reducing the likelihood of unwanted side effects.

If you care about cholesterol health, please read studies about common cholesterol-lowering drugs may help healthy older people live longer and findings of this new program strongly improve blood pressure, cholesterol control.

For more information about cholesterol and your health, please see recent studies about this new therapy could cut “bad” cholesterol by half and results showing that cholesterol-lowering drugs may boost gut health.

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