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Saturday, April 07, 2012

Arterial constriction process


Southampton research could lead to better treatments for cardiovascular disease

April 4, 2012
[+]Artery
Human artery (credit: Lord of Konrad/Wikimedia Commons)
Scientists at the University of Southampton have discovered a new process that controls the ability of arteries to constrict, which could lead to a better understanding of the causes of cardiovascular disease and the development of new treatments.
In a study funded by the British Heart Foundation, researchers showed that polyunsaturated fats, which are converted into fat-like molecules called eicosanoids in order to make arteries constrict, are made by the muscle cells in the arteries rather than being taken up from blood, as previously thought.
By blocking the action of two enzymes that create polyunsaturated fats, the researchers were able to reduce the constriction of arteries allowing blood to flow more freely, therefore lowering the risk of high blood pressure./.../

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