The researchers
believe that this corrective gene treatment could benefit humans with
high blood pressure and be used for a long term treatment. The
treatment helps prevent damage to the kidneys. The corrective gene
blocks a protein in the kidneys that creates high blood pressure and
kidney damage.
The protein is
called mineralocorticoid receptor. This protein tells the body to
retain sodium and water in the bloodstream. When the amount of blood
increases so does the blood pressure. Treatments currently available
for patients can do this kind of blocking for this protein but don’t do
so directly like this gene therapy does. The current medications also
can have undesirable side effects.
"This new
technique can specifically and efficiently inhibit the protein and
prevent the progression of hypertension," said Zhongjie Sun, M.D.,
Ph.D., a UF assistant professor of medicine, physiology and functional
genomics and is also the lead author of the study. "I'm very optimistic
this gene complex will be used for human gene therapy to treat
hypertension."
The block was
achieved by using a gene therapy called RNA interference. This is the
first time that RNA interference has been applied for the treatment of
hypertension and helps to prevent kidney damage. The RNA is directed to
stop that particular protein from occurring by either overpowering it or
silencing it.
The tests did not
lower the blood pressure to normal levels, but it kept the blood
pressure from rising. The study was a short 3 week period of time.
However the mice that did not get the RNA interference treatment had
blood pressure that was continually on the rise during the duration of
the study.
Future studies
with RNA interference will be to measure mice for a longer duration of
time to see were the blood pressure levels will end up. The benefit of
the reduction of kidney damage is probably the most interesting part of
this study. Hypertension can lead to kidney problems later on and may
be a better treatment in the future. It may take some time before it
will be used in human trials.
"I think this will
provide a new approach for the effective control of hypertension and
renal disease," Sun said. "This (new research avenue) is definitely
beneficial to patients."
Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication
Books on Heart Disease
Keywords and misspellings: HPB hyppertension
hipertension high-blood-pressure treetments medications
coranary
micro-vascular disfunction
iscemic iskemic
ishcemic ishcemia angiograf blood presure
stroke symptoms conditions
