Study shows that blocking an inflammation pathway prevents
cardiac fibrosis Outcome could lead to a new therapeutic
strategy for heart failure New research from UC Davis published
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows
that blocking an enzyme that promotes inflammation can prevent
the tissue damage following a heart attack that often leads to
heart failure. Led by Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, cardiologist and
professor of internal medicine, a team of researchers tested a
compound that inhibits the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase --
or sEH -- one of the key players in the robust immune-system
response that heals tissue following an injury. The enzyme,
however, can become counterproductive after a cardiac event.
Chiamvimonvat explained that sEH increases proinflammatory lipid
mediators, leading to long-term, heightened inflammatory
conditions. It also causes cells, which typically link together
and provide the foundation for heart tissue, to overwork. The
outcome is scar tissue, or fibrosis, th