Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, with one major issue being the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
This plaque can lead to inflammation, which can cause life-threatening heart attacks. Scientists at Michigan State University (MSU) have created a groundbreaking treatment called nanotherapy that specifically targets this dangerous plaque buildup.
New Nanotherapy Helps Prevent Heart Attacks
The new nanotherapy works by focusing on areas of inflammation within the arteries. When the treatment is infused, it stimulates the immune system to help break down and eliminate the plaque, according to Nature Communications.
Bryan Smith, an associate professor at MSU, explained, "That's the more alarming one that results in the majority of heart attacks."
He noted that while some plaques can block blood flow by 95% to 99%, others can remain less obstructive but still be extremely dangerous due to their potential to rupture suddenly.
When a plaque ruptures, it can block blood flow and lead to an unexpected heart attack. Symptoms leading up to this blockage may include chest pain, pressure, nausea, or dizziness. In cases of severe blockages, doctors often use stents to help improve blood flow.
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Reducing Arterial Plaque Inflammation
The new therapy specifically targets immune cells found within the plaque. Once it reaches these cells, the treatment activates them and enhances their ability to "eat away" at the core of the plaque, effectively breaking it down.
This process helps reduce inflammation within the blood vessel, making it a promising approach to preventing heart attacks.
To ensure the therapy's safety and effectiveness, researchers tested it on pigs. The results were encouraging, showing that the treatment reduced plaque inflammation without any negative side effects.
Smith said, "Through the use of PET scans, we successfully assessed the impact of the therapy on pig arteries."
He highlighted that the therapy demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation levels, confirmed by both PET imaging and molecular assays.
