Experimental Drug May Undo Damage Found in Aging Blood Vessels
By REUTERS
An experimental drug has been found to undo age-associated blood
vessel damage in monkeys, according to results of a new study.
With age, and especially in diabetics, blood vessels tend to stiffen
due to an increase in collagen crosslinks, attachments between
collagen and glucose (sugar) that may impair collagen flexibility.
Collagen is a protein normally present in connective tissue, bone,
cartilage and skin.
``Stiffer blood vessels relate to a greater likelihood for an
increase in arterial pressure to occur, and increase the workload on
the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries,'' said Dr. Edward G.
Lakatta, of the National Institutes of Health, in an interview with
Reuters Health.
In the study, the research team injected six rhesus monkeys with ALT-
711 every other day over a 3-week period. ALT-711 is an experimental
drug that breaks existing collagen crosslinks.
Tests showed that the monkeys' vessels were significantly less stiff
6 weeks after drug treatment was completed and for nearly 6 months
thereafter. In addition, measures of heart function improved,
according to the report in the January 30th issue of the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences.
``The finding suggests (ALT-711) could be a new treatment for high
blood pressure, heart failure and certain vascular complications of
diabetes'' in humans, according to a statement from the National
Institutes of Health.
``(ALT-711) has passed safety tests in humans and studies are under
way to determine its effects on vascular stiffness and arterial
pressure in humans,'' Lakatta told Reuters Health.
``Prospects in treating humans with ALT-711 are being determined in
both ongoing and planned clinical trials in humans. People could get
the drug following completion of clinical trial studies,'' he added.
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