New Biological Mechanism
Researchers from the University of California in the United States have revealed a biological mechanism explaining how a diet high in cholesterol weakens the liver's ability to remove harmful cholesterol from the blood. They noted that inhibiting an enzyme associated with this mechanism lowered cholesterol levels in mice, potentially paving the way for new treatments for cardiovascular diseases.
Details of the Published Study
The scientific website "Science Tech Daily" reported the day before yesterday that the study, published in the journal "Nature," combined experiments on mice and research on human cells, identifying a biological pathway that can be targeted to improve the liver's ability to remove cholesterol from the blood. The researchers explained that the liver relies on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on the surface of its cells to capture harmful cholesterol and remove it from the bloodstream.
Activation of the Harmful Enzyme
It added that high levels of cholesterol in food activate a protein known as "Ral," which leads to the activation of the "Cathepsin A" (CTSA) enzyme. This enzyme contributes to the breakdown of these receptors and reduces their number, thereby weakening the liver's ability to eliminate cholesterol. The article noted that experiments showed that inhibiting the "CTSA" enzyme with a small molecular compound helped maintain harmful cholesterol receptors.
Future Therapeutic Prospects
The researchers clarified that this improvement in the liver's ability to remove cholesterol from the blood in mice indicates the possibility of developing treatments that work through a mechanism different from currently available drugs, including statins and "PCSK9" protein inhibitors. They noted that an experimental drug previously developed to treat heart failure and which reached the first phase of clinical trials may warrant re-evaluation to explore its potential use in lowering cholesterol.
Need for Further Studies
The results provide a potential therapeutic target that could contribute to developing new options to reduce high cholesterol and the risks of cardiovascular diseases. However, confirming the effectiveness and safety of this strategy in humans requires further studies and clinical trials.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)