Pulmonary Hypertension: Researchers from Germany discovered a promising new treatment for pulmonary hypertension, a serious lung disease. This substance, derived from the common houseplant Ardisia crenata, works differently than existing drugs. By targeting a new point in the disease process, it tackles multiple factors that cause blood vessel narrowing in the lungs.
In experiments, the substance relaxed lung vessels quickly and effectively, offering hope for improved patient outcomes. The study was published on July 8, 2024.
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What are the causes of pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension arises from various issues affecting the lungs’ blood vessels. Diseases like scleroderma and COPD, blood clots in the lungs, and even certain medications can damage or block these vessels. Lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity also play a role. In some cases, however, the cause remains a mystery (idiopathic pulmonary hypertension).
Researchers took a fresh approach to tackling pulmonary hypertension, a disease that narrows lung blood vessels. Instead of focusing on the initial signal triggering vessel constriction, they targeted a later stage. Cells have specific pathways for these signals, and Gq proteins are like busy intersections within these pathways. Because Gq proteins are involved in many constriction pathways, they became a promising target for the researchers.
About The Research
Previous research hinted that a substance (FR) from the common houseplant Ardisia crenata might influence Gq proteins. The researchers hoped FR could act like a traffic cop, simultaneously inhibiting multiple factors that cause constriction. They tested FR on isolated mouse lung vessels, observing significant relaxation. This positive effect was confirmed in pig tissue and even human samples.
Taking the investigation further, they treated mice with pulmonary hypertension and found FR to be highly effective. The treatment improved the animals’ health and prevented the thickening of muscle layers around lung vessels, a hallmark of the disease. Interestingly, FR caused a slight overall blood pressure drop, which could be beneficial in this context.
The researchers are optimistic about FR’s potential as a future treatment, but caution that extensive research is needed before it reaches patients. This study highlights the exciting possibilities of exploring new targets within cellular signaling pathways to combat complex diseases.
Researchers: Systems Physiology at Ruhr University Bochum, Pharmacology Research Group, University Hospital of Nottingham, UK, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, the University of Bonn and the University Hospital of Ruhr University Bochum in Bad Oeynhausen.
Funding: German Research Foundation and the InnovationsFoRUM at Ruhr University Bochum.
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