Gout drug for treating heart failure

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine have shown that probenecid, a drug long used to treat gout, may be able to improve heart function in adult patients who experience heart failure. The drug improved the two main ways in how the heart functions. It improves how the heart contracts and how it relaxes.

Patients were offered probenecid as part of a randomized, double-blind, crossover and placebo-controlled single-center clinical trial. Patients, who averaged 57 years of age, were enrolled during four-week periods. They were required to undergo an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram and six-minute endurance test along with other assessments, explains Rubinstein, a UC Health cardiologist and member of the UC Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute.

 Researchers examined probenecid in animal heart cells and found it improved how well the heart uses calcium, an important component in cardiac muscle contraction. Heart failure occurs when the heart pump is not strong enough to move blood throughout the body and meet the body's needs for oxygen.

Left ventricular assist devices, pacemakers, heart transplants and medications are available to treat heart failure patients, but outcomes for patients with heart failure are still worse than outcomes for the vast majority of cancer patients, probenecid drug may change this.
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Cholesterol crystal are signs of impending heart attack

According to the latest research by cardiologist, cholesterol crystals are responsible for obstructing the coronary arteries of patients who had suffered a heart attack.

These crystals are released from plaque that can build up in the heart and is often made up of fat, calcium and other substances. When this material hardens over time in the arteries, it's known as atherosclerosis.

When cholesterol goes from a liquid to a solid, or crystal state, it expands in volume. This expansion inside the wall of the artery can tear it and block blood flow resulting into a heart attack or stroke.

Researchers discovered clusters of large crystals in the arteries of patients suffering from heart attack, this crystals are released into the heart and it damaged the heart by blocking blood flow.

Cholesterol crystals activated the production of inflammation molecules, known as Interleukin-1 beta, which inflame coronary arteries. The use of statin drugs can lower cholesterol. Canakinumab drug can also block the Interleukin-1 beta inflammation molecule and reduce the chances of a cardiac event.

 Controlling cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, engaging in exercise and taking statin medications as recommended could prevent crystals from forming and reduce the risk of heart attack.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com