On August 5, 2011, UCLA researchers released the results of a study that found that man-made fat, intralipid, may limit damage to heart attack victims. The substance, which is currently used as a component of intravenous nutrition and to treat rare overdoses of local anesthetics, may also offer protection for patients suffering from heart attacks. Current treatment for a heart attack focuses on limiting the duration of the ischemic period, when blood flow to tissues is reduced, and on subsequently opening arteries to reestablish normal coronary blood flow. It is well known that injury to the heart muscle can occur after blood containing oxygen and nutrients flows back to the deprived cells. This phenomenon is known as reperfusion injury, and researchers have been seeking ways to minimize such injury. Intralipid is a fat emulsion made up of soy bean oil, egg phospholipids, and glycerin, which provides essential fatty acids. The study identified how Intralipid can prevent extensive heart damage and help preserve heart function when used during the return of blood flow to the heart immediately following a heart attack.
This research shows that intralipid may help cell integrity and function when the body is under stress, such as during a heart attack; thus, introducing a new way to significantly decrease damage to the heart muscle due to reperfusion injury or to prolong the tolerance of a tissue or an organ to lack of oxygen. The findings may have implications for future therapies. The technique is not limited to the heart, researchers say, and could potentially be used for any ischemic organs suffering a blockage in blood flow or for organs used for transplant.
See Also:
New exercise recommendations for heart patients
New UCLA study finds benefits of minimally invasive heart procedure
Higher estrogen levels in older women predict lower risk of heart disease
National study reports 68,000 lives could be saved by heart failure therapies
UCLA announces guidelines to improve survival of heart failure patients
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