According to recent studies, at-least 610,000 Americans a year experience their first heart-attack, which is often caused by the blockage of key arteries. The study was carried out by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and newer research undertaken by the University of Missouri claims that the body has a natural defence, to this, known as bilirubin.
Bilirubin is often associated with the common child-hood condition – jaundice, a mostly harmless dysfunction caused by the body’s metabolic processes, which during their infancy are not sufficiently developed to break down – bilirubin. However, scientists have now asserted that bilirubin can be used to prevent the blockage of arteries, and thereby help to reduce the onset of cardiovascular disease.
When arteries become damaged, lesions are created inside them by the accelerated growth of smooth blood-cells, which can obstruct the flow of blood to the heart – leading to severe chest-pains and on some occasions – heart-attacks. Lesions can also occur as the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, particularly with regards to factors such as smoking, a diet high in bad cholesterols and a lack of exercise.
The research suggested that bilirubin could be deployed to reduce the size of arterial lesions – halting the growth of the smooth muscular-cells that create them. This could be achieved by coating stents with bilirubin, resulting in the prevention of smooth cell growth when the stent has been inserted into the arteries.
However, whilst the studies assert that the use of bilirubin does have the potential to have a highly positive impact upon health and wellbeing, it is presently challenging to administer as it is not easily dissolved in water, and can be metabolised too quickly if taken orally. Therefore more research clearly needs to be undertaken to identify the safest, quickest and most efficient manner in which bilirubin can be absorbed by the body.
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