Enzyme elimination method in mice improves healing after heart attack

A team of researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has found a way to improve healing and reduce inflammation after a heart attack using mouse models.

The study, recently published in Heart and Circulatory Physiology, was led by Ganesh Halade, PhD, an assistant professor in UAB's department of medicine.

By eliminating one particular lipid-modifying enzyme, along with short-term dietary excess of a certain lipid, Halade and his team found that they could improve outcomes for the mice post-heart attack.

"Our goal is healing, and we are reaching that goal," Halade said in a UAB press release.

Some signaling agents from lipids are responsible for causing inflammation while others have reparative capabilities. By eliminating some of the enzymes that modify lipids and consequently decreasing the amount of competition between them, the researchers were able to promote faster healing.

Results from the study showed that by eliminating the 12/15 lipoxygenase and feeding the mice a short-term excess of polyunsaturated fatty acids cause an increase in leukocyte clearance after a heart attack, which led to less inflammation. This method also improved heart function and sped up the healing phase.

To use this technique on human patients, Halade said future studies are needed to develop targets and specific treatments that could support increased healing of the left ventricle after a heart attack.