In a new study from the University of Alberta, researchers found a long-sought link in the battle to control cholesterol and heart disease.
They found the protein that interferes with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that clear ‘bad’ cholesterol from the blood.
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 stumbled upon the role of the protein—membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase—by accident while studying another protein involved in heart function.
They focused on 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 now 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 heart disease, please read studies about this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk and findings of new early warning sign for heart disease.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about this nutrient can protect your heart rate and results showing that these food linked to serious heart disease and stroke risk.
The study is published in Nature Communications. One author of the study is Dawei Zhang.
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