A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and the Lillehei Heart Institute have been able to use molecular genetic engineering to optimise heart performance in models of diastolic heart failure. They did this by creating a protein that can aid in high-speed relaxation similar to fast twitching muscles.
Inside the cells of the heart, calcium plays a very important role in controlling and regulating normal heart pump function. However, if you suffer from diastolic failure the calcium signalling process is slowed; calcium levels in your body rise to the peak needed for the squeezing action of the heart but don’t then drop quickly enough for an efficient relaxation period. This is known as diastolic heart failure.
The university researchers were able to pinpoint a specific protein, called parvalbumin – which helps in very fast relaxation of fast twitching muscles in nature. They were able to optimise it to become a calcium sponge for muscles of the heart. As a result, the optimised protein, ParvE101Q, soaks up excess calcium, which then allows the heart to relax efficiently after the contraction.
This is a very positive step forward in the battle against diastolic heart failure. The authors of the research advised that the next step will be determining the best possible delivery mechanism for the protein. If this goes well it should allow the discovery to be used in clinics and be a very useful way to fight the condition.
Heart failure is a common killer of both men and women across the country and the rate of heart failure is increasing as the population of the UK ages. This is a very worrying trend, especially as you are more likely to have a second heart attack if you survive the first.
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