Newly discovered Protein May Be a Cause of Heart Failure

Researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre discovered a protein switch that can trigger heart failure.  Dr. Billia says that  PINK1 is a protein that can affect the heart metabolism, leading into heart failure. The absences of this protein can cause the heart cells to produce less energy. The lack of energy causes some of the heart cells to die, forcing the remainder of the cells to work harder to keep the heart going. This is known as hypertrophy, where the heart muscles thickens. Heart failure is the most common hospitalization in North American adults, and over 50,000 people have heart failure annually. Studies have been shown that if you genetically remove the PINK1 proetin gene the heart will develop normally but will begin to fail within two months. It is not required for organ development but this protein is so important to the body; the body cannot survive without it.  Researchers think this protein links to Parkinson's disease and certain cancers such as esophageal and endometrial disease.

This is great information for cardiac patients. For heart patients that are on the donor waitlist can go on this new drug to help reverse the PINK1 protein from failing and perhaps repair their own heart and might not need to have a transplat after all and save a lot of money in the long run. I'm sure not only with gene therapy and taking certain medications to keep your proteins functioning normally diet and exercise play a factor as well to help the heart healthy. This i s great knowing that people now have alternatives and do not have to sit around waiting hoping to be next on the donor list.