(Press-News.org) FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE Fla. ---- A Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researcher has announced a breakthrough discovery to block a protein that can contribute to heart failure.
His discovery will appear in an upcoming issue of the prestigious medical journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Anastasios Lymperopoulos, Ph.D., an NSU College of Pharmacy assistant professor of pharmacology, has discovered a novel method, using gene therapy, to block the actions of a gene-encoded protein.
That protein, known as beta-arrestin 1, causes an increase of aldosterone production from the body's adrenal glands into the blood. Aldosterone is a hormone. It increases the reabsorption of sodium and water into the kidneys, causing high blood volume and blood pressure. It also has several direct damaging effects on the heart, such as fibrosis, hypertrophy, and inflammation.
An increase in blood volume causes high blood pressure. This in turn decreases the pumping action of the heart, and is one of the causes of heart failure.
By finding a way to block beta-arrestin 1 through this gene therapy approach, professor Lymperopoulos hopes it will lead to the reduction of the severity of heart failure. He is now testing new and existing heart failure medications such as Cozaar, Diovan and Atacand, to see how effective they are at blocking this damaging effect of beta-arrestin on the heart.
###
Lymperopoulos receives funding from the American Heart Association through a Scientist Development Grant for his research at NSU.
About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 29,000 students and is the seventh largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The university awards associate's, bachelor's, master's, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences. For more information visit www.nova.edu.
END
San Diego - Neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) say brain scans show that a gene nominally linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to increased interference by brain regions associated with mind wandering during mental tasks.
Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, these researchers believe their findings are the first to show, through brain scanning, the differences in brain network relationships between individuals with this particular form of gene and others with a different form.
"Our goal ...
Treatment that included early surgical procedures to open blocked arteries resulted in better blood flow to the heart than aggressive medical treatment alone in patients with both diabetes and heart disease, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.
Previously, researchers in BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes) found that over five years there were no fewer deaths and heart attacks in people who had medical treatment along with prompt vessel-opening surgery (revascularization) than ...
A less invasive procedure for treating a congenital heart defect in children is a safe alternative to traditional surgery with no five-year difference in risk of death and is associated with a 62 percent reduced risk for neurological events (such as strokes or seizures), according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.
In a study of 580 children with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), researchers evaluated the long-term safety and effectiveness of transcatheter closure versus traditional surgery. Transcatheter closure is a ...
Fat cells — liposuctioned from a patient's belly — can safely boost heart function after a heart attack, according to a first-of-its-kind study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.
"The study suggests that these cells can be safely obtained and infused inside the hearts of patients following an acute heart attack," said Eric (HJ) Duckers, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the small study and head of Molecular Cardiology Laboratory at the Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The treatment reduced the amount ...
Abstract 21829 – Automated remote patient monitoring fails to improve outcomes for heart failure patients
A remote monitoring system didn't help heart failure patients live longer or avoid return trips to the hospital, according to a new study.
The system required heart failure patients to dial into an automated, interactive voice response system daily to enter their weight and answer questions about heart failure symptoms. Clinicians managing patients' heart failure reviewed the information and called patients back to discuss worrisome reports. The remote monitoring ...
Years of research are the basis for the latest drugs and treatments for cardiovascular disease. This discussion will highlight early and pre-clinical research that may well be the foundation of treatments to come. Join us for an informal Q&A with researchers who are passionate about the details of battling cardiovascular disease. We'll discuss a range of topics, from a possible drug target to regulate HDL cholesterol, to injectable goo that boosts heart function, and heart cell "balls" that take cellular therapy to another dimension.
Abstract 21739 —Researchers discover ...
9 a.m. Abstract 18350 – Explanted re-sterilized ICDs are safe, practical for patient use.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) removed for upgrades or infection may be reused safely in other patients.
Researchers sent explanted ICDs with 70 percent or more battery life to India, where the devices were carefully cleaned and re-sterilized. They were re-implanted in indigent patients who were at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias but couldn't afford the devices.
Thirty-one patients received explanted, re-sterilized ICDs for standard ICD indications. During ...
Systematic education in rural and suburban communities can significantly shorten onset to hospital arrival times for patients with chest pain, according to study findings to be presented Nov. 16 at the 2010 annual American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
Time to treatment is the key determinant of outcome in patients with acute heart attacks, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although the total time to reperfusion (chest pain onset to balloon) is critical, the major focus has been on decreasing door-to-balloon (D2B) times since the ...
Contact: Helene R. White, Ph.D.
hewhite@rci.rutgers.edu
732-445-3579
Rutgers University
Andrew Littlefield, Ph.D. Candidate
akl9af@mail.mizzou.edu
573-884-1485
University of Missouri
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research
Impulsive behavior in males increases after periods of heavy drinking
New findings indicate that adoelscent males that engage in heavy drinking behavior are more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior
Impulsive behavior is well known to be caused by acute ingestion of alcohol
New findings show that periods of heavy drinking by ...
Energy drinks are commonly consumed by teens and college students
A new study shows that energy drink consumption is strongly associated with increased risks for heavy drinking and alcohol dependence
These results call for more scrutiny regarding the possible negative health effects of energy drinks and public education about the risks of consuming energy drinks with alcohol
A hallmark of college life is staying up late to study for an exam the following morning, and many students stay awake by consuming an energy drink. Also increasing in popularity is the practice ...
