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By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An enzyme that helps the body break down alcohol also works to limit damage during a heart attack, and an experimental drug can crank up this protective role, scientists said on Thursday.
They expressed hope these findings in rat studies may lead to a drug that would protect people with chest pain that often precedes a heart attack or during coronary bypass surgery and other events in which the heart does not receive enough blood.
The enzyme, which is controlled by a gene called ALDH2, was previously known for its role in allowing the body to metabolize alcoholic beverages.
Researchers led by Daria Mochly-Rosen of Stanford University Medical Center in California observed that rats with higher levels of the enzyme suffered less damage when they had heart attacks.
Full Story: New way to protect against heart damage explored | Health | Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An enzyme that helps the body break down alcohol also works to limit damage during a heart attack, and an experimental drug can crank up this protective role, scientists said on Thursday.
They expressed hope these findings in rat studies may lead to a drug that would protect people with chest pain that often precedes a heart attack or during coronary bypass surgery and other events in which the heart does not receive enough blood.
The enzyme, which is controlled by a gene called ALDH2, was previously known for its role in allowing the body to metabolize alcoholic beverages.
Researchers led by Daria Mochly-Rosen of Stanford University Medical Center in California observed that rats with higher levels of the enzyme suffered less damage when they had heart attacks.
Full Story: New way to protect against heart damage explored | Health | Reuters
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