Old Drug Shows Promise in Treating Heart Damage in Mice and Rats
Beijing, August 27, 2024 – A new studypublished in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research suggests that glatiramer acetate, a drug commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis, could potentially be repurposed totreat heart damage in mice and rats. The research, conducted by scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, highlights the potential of drug repurposing asa cost-effective approach to developing new treatments for heart disease.
Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Previous research has emphasized the role of the immune system in heart damage. While existing drug therapies have reduced mortality rates, the development of new drugs and therapies is expensive. This has led to increased interest in drug repurposing as a viable alternative.
In this study, researchers investigated the effects of glatiramer acetate, an immunomodulatory drug usedto treat multiple sclerosis patients, in mouse models of myocardial infarction and rat models of ischemic heart failure.
The results showed that mice treated with glatiramer acetate exhibited improved heart function, reduced scar size, and protection of heart muscle cells from blood restriction-induced cell death. The drug also reduced scar formation andpromoted the growth of new blood vessels. In rats with heart failure, glatiramer acetate improved the heart’s pumping ability and slowed down the accumulation of scar tissue, a characteristic of interstitial fibrosis, a lung disease that can lead to respiratory failure.
The authors concluded that their findings demonstrate the potential of glatiramer acetate as a repurposed drug for treating heart damage. However, they cautioned that further research and clinical trials are needed to confirm these results in humans.
Our study provides compelling evidence that glatiramer acetate could be a promising treatment for heart damage, said Dr. Rachel Sarig, one of thestudy’s co-corresponding authors. This drug has already been shown to be safe and effective in humans, so repurposing it for heart disease could offer a faster and more cost-effective path to new therapies.
The study’s findings are particularly significant given the global burden of heart disease. According to theWorld Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.
Drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to address this global health challenge. By identifying existing drugs with potential therapeutic applications for other diseases, researchers can accelerate the development ofnew treatments and reduce the costs associated with drug discovery.
The study’s findings have generated excitement among the scientific community and have sparked further research into the potential of glatiramer acetate for treating heart disease. While clinical trials are still needed to confirm the drug’s effectiveness in humans, the study provides apromising avenue for developing new therapies for heart damage.
This research highlights the importance of exploring novel applications for existing drugs, particularly in the field of cardiovascular disease, where the need for effective treatments remains high.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/08-27/10275205.shtml
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