By Stephen Beech
Scientists have developed a treatment that “reawakens” heart muscle cells so they start to divide and help repair damaged muscle.
A new experimental treatment has shown “promise” in regenerating muscles damaged during a heart attack.
Cambridge University scientists have developed the “exciting” method that promotes the repair of damaged heart muscle following a cardiac arrest.
The treatment has shown promising results in mice, according to a study published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research.
Since adult heart cells can’t repair themselves once damaged, the research team says the breakthrough represents an important step towards a potential curative treatment for heart disease.
They explained that the treatment “reawakens” heart muscle cells so they start to divide and help repair damaged muscle.
In a study in mice, it produced a stronger heartbeat and increased the amount of blood pumped through the heart with each heartbeat by around 10%, compared with mice that received a mock treatment, following a heart attack.
While it is not a full cure, the Cambridge team says even small improvements to heart function have been linked to lower mortality in patien...