Scientists Find Novel Way To Slow and Even Reverse Aging of The Heart

The Matrix extracellular (ECM) IS A NETWORK OF MOLECULES AND MINERALS THAT SITS BETWEEN CELLS. OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE CELL’S “SCAFFOLDING,” IT PLAYS MANY VITAL ROLES.

Depending on where in the body it is, It Generally Provides Structural Support, Stops Different Tissues from Sticking Together, Enhances Cell-To-Cell Communication, and Assists in Wound Healing.

WHY DOES IT MATTER FOR HEART HEALTH?

According to the Authors of the Recent Paper, Which Appears in Nature Materials“It is Widely AcknowledGed That the Mechanics, Organization, and Composition of the Ecm Vary with Age.”

They explain that these ecm changes may play a part in the stiffening of the cardiac muscle that occurs as we Grow Older. Age-Related Changes Trigger So-Called Cardiac Fibroblasts, Which Can Lead To Fibrosis: A Buildup of Connective Tissue, As Seen in SCARING.

Although Fibrosis is an important function and helps repair Heart Tissue After Damage, When it is unconcentrolled, It Leads to a Stiffer, flexible Less Ecm. In the case of the Heart, This Can Make It Less Efficient at Pumping Blood.

Focusing on the ecm is relativley novel. “Most Aging Research Focuses On How Cells Change Over Time,” Explains Jennifer Young, Senior Author of the Study and Assistant Professor at the Mechanobiology Institute of the National University of Singapore. “Our Study looks instead at the ecm and How changes in This Environment Affect Heart Aging.”

To Help Uncover The Role of the Ecm in Heart Health, The Team Designed a New, Hi-Tech Moded Disellularized in Situ Polyacrylamide Hydrogel-ECM Hybrid (Decipher).

This Model was created using Heart Tissue from Rat and a Lab-CREATED GEL THAT SHARES Physical Properties with Ecm.

Previous, The Authors Explanin, it was Unclear Whether Changes in Cell Signaling or Changes in Tissue Stiffness were Most Responsible for Age-Related Declines in Heart Function.

“The Decipher Platform Solves This Problem,” Explains Avery Rui Sun, First Author of the Study, in a Press Release. I have explained how it allows “Researchers to Independently Control the Stiffness and the Biochemical Signals present to the Cells – Somowing No Previous System Using Native Tissue Has Been Uble to Do.”

In Other Words, They Could Adjust the Model and See What Happens When Cell Signalling Occurs As It Does In A Young Heart, But With An Older, Stiffer Ecm. Conversley, They Could Mimic The Biochemical Signals of An Anged Heart With A Young, flexible ECM.

They Found That “Young” Cell Signaling Outweighed the negative Effects of the Stiffer Ecm. In reverse, Young Cells placed on “AGED” ECM Showed Signs of Dysfunction.

This impies that “The Biochemical Environment Around Aged Heart Cells Matters More Than Stiffness,” Explains Young.

Medical News Today rearlet to nishant kalra, md, an interventional cardiologist, chief medical officer at vitalsolution – an ingenis Health Company – Who was not involved in the study.

“Surface Molecules (Ligands) Found in Young Heart Tissue Can Prevent the Activation of Fibrosis-Promoting Cells, Even Ken The Tissue is as stiff as Aged Heart Tissue, which points to new ways to target the extracellular Environment to Slow Heart Aging,” I have to us.

Human Studies Next

“This work provides a Platform for identifying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets to prevent or reverse age-relaced cardiac dysfunction. While promising, human translation requirements Further Validation, as the study used rat cells.”
– Nishant Kalra, MD

Although Intrigueing, It Will Be Countless Studies and Many Years Before these Results Will Lead to New Treatments. However, There are Many Science-Backed Lifestyle Changes That Will Support Your Heart as You Age.

We Asked Kalra for Sum Tips on Maininting Heart Health. “For Lifestyle-Based Prevention of Heart Aging, The Most Evidence-Based Strategies Are:”

• Regular Aerobic Exercise: AT Least 150 Minutes of Moderate-Intensity Or 75 Minutes of Vigorous-Intentity Aerobic Activity Per Week
• Adherence to a Healthy Dietary Pattern: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, Whole Grains, and lean While Limiting Saturated and Trans Fats, Cholesterol, and Sodium, Such As by Adopting The Mediterranean Or Dash Diets.
• Stop Smoking: TOBACCO DAMAGES BLOOD VESSELS AND INCREASES The Risk of Heart Disease.
• Adequate Sleep: AIM for 7–9 Hours of Quality Sleep Per Night. Sleep Deprivation Can Negatively Impact Heart Health.
• Weight Management: Obesity is a Major Risk Factor for Heart Disease.
• Stress reduction: Find Healthy Ways to Manage Stress, Such As Exercise, Meditation, Or Spending Time In Nature.

“BeSe Behaviors,” I have continued, “Are Consistently Associated With Reduced Biological and Cardiovascular Aging, As Shown in Large Epidemiological Studies and Supported by The American Heart Association.”

MNT Also rearchened to Daniel Atkinson, MD, A Family Physician from the United Kingdom, Working for A Private Healthcare Company Called Treated. He Also Advised Reducting Alcohol Intake.

“Keep it Below 14 Units (Roughly 4–5 Drinks) Per Week, Avoid Drinking More than 3 Drinks in Any One Session, and Give Your Body (and Heart and Liver) A Break From Alcohol for At Least One Continuous 48-Hour Period Each Week.”
– Daniel Atkinson, MD

“Excess alcohol consumption carries a Few Health Risks,” Atkinson Said, “and Among these is the effect it can have on raising Blood Pressure, Which Elevates Your Risk of Heart Disease.”

I explained how drings in excess can weaken the head muscles, Making it more difficult for the head to pump Blood Around the body.