Heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
Despite efforts to control risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol with medications such as aspirin and statins, many people continue to suffer from heart-related conditions.
It’s as if we’re trying to put out a fire, but some of the flames persist. However, recent research from the University of Michigan has uncovered a new piece of the puzzle that may explain why heart disease is so hard to fully control.
A New Discovery: The Role of suPAR
Scientists at the University of Michigan have identified a protein produced by our bodies called suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor). This protein, which is made in our bone marrow, normally helps regulate the immune system, acting like a thermostat to keep it in balance.
However, when there is too much suPAR in the body, it can contribute to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This condition restricts blood flow and is a major cause of heart disease.
What Did the Researchers Find?
The researchers examined data from over 5,000 people who did not have heart disease at the time.
They discovered that individuals with higher levels of suPAR were more likely to develop atherosclerosis and heart disease, regardless of their other risk factors, such as cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.
They also looked at the genetic information of 24,000 people and found that some individuals have a specific variant (a different version) of the gene responsible for producing suPAR. Those with this gene variant tend to have higher levels of the protein.
Most strikingly, this genetic variant was linked to atherosclerosis in a large study involving 500,000 participants, and similar findings were confirmed in two other major studies.
Additionally, when the researchers studied mice, they found that those with elevated suPAR levels developed more atherosclerotic plaques (fat and other substances that build up in the arteries) in their aortas compared to mice with normal suPAR levels. This further confirmed suPAR’s role in promoting the development of atherosclerosis.
Why Does This Matter for Heart Health?
This study is significant because it brings together different types of data—clinical, genetic, and experimental—that all point to suPAR as a key player in atherosclerosis.
Most importantly, current treatments for heart disease don’t specifically target suPAR, so this discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating heart disease by focusing on lowering suPAR levels.
Scientists are now exploring ways to safely reduce suPAR levels in the body, which could represent a groundbreaking advancement in the fight against heart disease.
The Connection Between Heart and Kidney Health
Interestingly, this study also revealed a connection between suPAR and kidney disease, which affects about 1 in 7 Americans. Many people with kidney disease also suffer from heart disease, and over 40% of those with heart disease show signs of kidney problems.
The research highlights how suPAR is linked to both conditions, suggesting that these two diseases are more closely related than previously thought.
Dr. Salim Hayek, the lead researcher, and his team, who published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, emphasize the importance of looking at the bigger picture when studying diseases.
The connection between suPAR, heart disease, and kidney disease shows how intertwined different parts of our body can be, and it underscores the need for a more holistic approach in medical research and treatment.
What’s Next?
As scientists continue to study suPAR, they hope to develop treatments that can lower this protein’s levels in the body. This could offer a new way to tackle both heart disease and kidney disease, two major health issues that often occur together.
While more research is needed, this discovery brings hope for new therapies that could improve the lives of millions of people affected by these conditions.
By understanding the role suPAR plays in atherosclerosis, researchers are taking an important step forward in finding more effective ways to treat and prevent heart disease—something that could make a real difference in the ongoing fight against this deadly condition.
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