A group of international scientists has made a major discovery that could change how we treat heart disease.
They found that cholesterol not only clogs blood vessels but can also sneak into the heart’s energy centers—called mitochondria—and cause serious harm.
Even better, the team created a new treatment that may fix this damage and help the heart work properly again.
This important study was led by Dr. Vicenta Llorente-Cortés from the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona and was published in the Journal of Lipid Research.
Our heart needs a lot of energy to keep beating and pumping blood. That energy comes from mitochondria, tiny parts inside our cells that turn food into fuel. In heart cells, mitochondria take up a big portion of the space and play a key role in making energy.
The scientists discovered that under certain conditions, like obesity or high cholesterol levels, cholesterol can build up inside the mitochondria of heart cells.
This happens through a pathway involving a receptor called LRP1, which lets cholesterol enter the cells. Once inside, cholesterol damages the structure of the mitochondria and stops them from making energy.
Dr. Llorente-Cortés explained that this is a new way cholesterol harms the heart. It doesn’t just block blood flow—it also weakens the heart from the inside by shutting down its energy supply.
To fight this, the researchers developed a special immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies target a specific part of the LRP1 receptor to block cholesterol from getting into the mitochondria. This protects the heart from energy loss and damage.
They tested the new treatment in rabbits that had similar cholesterol problems as humans. After treatment, cholesterol levels in the mitochondria dropped. The structure of the mitochondria improved, especially the inner folds known as cristae, which are vital for energy production.
The therapy also helped mitochondria produce more ATP—the energy molecule that powers heartbeats. Even the way mitochondria worked with fat storage areas in the cell improved, which helps the heart stay healthy.
Dr. Llorente-Cortés said this treatment is different from anything used before. It works deep inside the cell, where the heart’s energy is made, and helps repair damage directly.
This discovery may lead to a new kind of treatment for heart failure and other heart problems linked to cholesterol, like those caused by obesity. Until now, most treatments focused on lowering cholesterol in the blood or controlling blood pressure. This new therapy goes further by protecting the heart from the inside.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. While current treatments help many people live longer, they don’t always stop long-term damage. This new therapy could change that by restoring the heart’s energy and preventing failure.
Dr. Llorente-Cortés is hopeful that this discovery will lead to new ways to protect patients at high risk. She said that in cases where cholesterol levels stay high even after treatment, we need to look inside the heart and protect it directly.
The team plans to move forward with clinical trials to test this treatment in humans. If it works, it could bring hope to millions of people living with heart disease.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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