Researchers of a new study have discovered certain factors that cause hardening of arteries and plaque growth that were previously unknown. The team, which includes Yale University researchers, believes a new therapeutic approach could help tackle this issue, which could reduce heart disease.
As of now, there are no treatments available that can improve the plaque and hardened arteries, which in medical terms is known as atherosclerosis. Ongoing inflammation in blood vessels could potentially be one reason, some researchers speculate.
With the new information in hand, the team focused their investigation on transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), which are a group of proteins that works to regulate many cells and tissues in the human body.
Through their investigation, the team learned that TGFβ proteins trigger inflammation in endothelial cells, which are cells that form the inner lining of artery walls. Using a technique to measure the expression of genes in cells, the team found TGFβ induced inflammation in cells. Professor Michael Simons and his team used a method called"interfering" RNA to disruptTGFß receptors.The findings are important as TGFβ proteins are believed to decrease inflammation in cells in other parts of the body. TGFβ receptor gene was also found to be deleted in endothelial cells
"The findings identify TGFß signalling as a major cause of chronic vessel wall inflammation and demonstrate that disruption of this pathway leads to cessation of inflammation and substantial regression of existing plaque," researchers of a study stated in a news portal.
Researchers at Yale and MIT are now launching a biotech company to develop a targeted approach, using the RNAi drug to tackle these issues and hopefully reduce the risk of heart disease. The study's findings were originally published in Nature Metabolism.
Meanwhile, a previous study claimed vegetables may reduce hardening of arteries in women. "We were excited to find out that intake of cruciferous vegetables seemed to be the most beneficial,” study author Lauren Blekkenhorst, a nutrition researcher at the University of Western Australia in Crawley, told a news portal. Adding, “However, this does not discount the importance of other vegetable types, as we know increasing a variety of all vegetables is important to maintain good health."
Blekkenhorst, further explained: “Our research suggests that recommendations to include a couple of servings of cruciferous vegetables amongst the recommended amount of vegetables may help to optimize the vascular health benefits.”
