Researchers Look for New Ways to Reduce Heart Damage

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US researchers have identified a protein which may be useful in repairing heart damage caused by a heart attack and may reduce damage during bypass surgery.

In today’s issue of the journal Science, researchers led by Daria Mochly-Rosen of Stanford University Medical Center in California report they found a compound that increases the activity of ALDH2 enzyme. The ALDH2 enzyme was found to play a role in protecting the heart from damage, said Daria Mochly-Rosen, a professor of chemical and systems biology at Stanford, and lead author of the study.

The molecule which activates the enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is called Alda-1. ALDH2 is usually involved in breaking down alcohol in the body. The newly discovered compound, Alda-1, was able to keep enzyme levels high during nitroglycerin treatment which reduces the amount of damage caused by the drug. Nitroglycerine treatment is given to patients with chest pain to widen arteries and improve blood flow. ALDH2 helps the drug convert into its active form, but prolonged use of the nitroglycerin can reduce the presence of the enzyme, which may lead to heart damage. The enzyme gets rid of toxins that accumulate when the heart is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.

"Although this enzyme was discovered a long time ago, my research group knew nothing about it except that it helps remove alcohol when people drink," said study leader Dr Daria Mochly-Rosen.

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