Researchers regenerate hearts using chemicals
Q. A team of researchers have found two chemicals that can _______ damaged hearts.- Published on 14 Nov 16a. Regenerate
b. Stimulate
c. Grow
d. Heal
ANSWER: Regenerate
In a massive breakthrough, a team of scientists has identified two chemicals that can develop
heart cells that beat harder, faster and stronger bringing technology one step closer to regenerating damaged hearts
- Scientists tested 5,500 chemicals and identified two that can transform a scar tissue into a healthy beating heart muscle- which improves treatments for heart failures.
- The two chemicals increased eightfold the number of heart cells created as well as sped up the process of cell conversion, attaining in one week what takes 6-8 weeks
- After suffering a heart attack, the connective tissues develop scar tissue, which then contribute to heart failure
- When the heart muscle gets damaged, the body is unable to repair dead or injured cells
- As per the researchers, the first chemical inhibits a growth factor that helps cells grow and divide and is important for repairing tissues after injury
- The second chemical inhibits an important pathway that regulates heart development
By combining the two chemicals with the current method of reprogramming connective tissue cells into heart muscle cells through certain proteins, the researchers have generated heart muscle and improved heart function.
