Protein injection fights heart disease by growing new blood vessels

A researcher from Tel Aviv has found a protein that grows new blood vessels "almost immediately", providing new hope for patients with coronary artery disease and other diseases of the blood vessels. An injectable protein has been shown to grow healthy new blood vessels within a matter of weeks, and has been tested with no side effects in animal studies. The findings could eliminate the need for cardiac bypass surgery, and help heart patients suffering from disabilities.

The protein was tested on mice facing leg amputation from diseased blood vessels. Amputation too often occurs from severe blood vessel disease associated with diabetes. Dr. Britta Hardy of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine has shown that the injectable protein is able to grow new blood vessels, improving circulation and blood flow. Dr. Hardy says, "Within a short time we saw the formation of capillaries and tiny blood vessels. After three weeks, they had grown and merged together with the rest of the circulatory system." The next step is to prove the protein can also be used to restore blood flow to the heart to help patients fight heart disease.

Dr. Hardy explains, "The biotechnology behind our human-based protein therapy is very complicated, but the goal is simple and the solution is straightforward. We intend to inject our drug locally to heal any oxygen-starved tissue. So far in animal models, we've seen no side effects and no inflammation following our injection of the drug into the legs. The growth of new blood vessels happens within a few weeks, showing improved blood circulation."

According to a story about open heart surgery from emaxhealth.com, "The protein can also be injected to protect patients with stents. The drug acts like a coating to prevent stents from developing new clots that could cause a second heart attack. The protein could eliminate the need for heart patients to take expensive blood thinners that also carry risks." The injectable protein that grows new blood vessels could help heart patients in several ways.

The best news is that the injectable protein that grows new blood vessels should be available commercially soon, providing an entirely new treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease. Many patients suffer from chest pain and angina from blocked arteries that cannot be bypassed or opened with stents and angioplasty.  

Because results of new blood vessel growth can be seen in a short period of time after the injectable protein is given into the muscle, Phase 1 trials would not be lengthy. According to the study, in as little as two years, we may have new help for patients with heart disease, using the new discovery. Risky cardiac bypass surgery could become a thing of the past if blood vessels that supply the heart can be regrown using the protein injection that so far appears safe and free of side effects.

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