The new treatment could make your cholesterol half, say the researchers - and these are not statins

It looks like science fiction, but gene editing could be the key to lower cholesterol.


If you live in the United States, it is not uncommon to have high cholesterol levels . Almost two out of five adults are diagnosed with the disease, which endangers you in heart disease and stroke, according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are the two main causes of death in the country, so if your doctor says that your cholesterol has become problematic, you must remedy it immediately.

One of the best ways to do so is to make lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise and reducing your diet. If this does not work, your doctor can prescribe a statine. However, recent research has revealed that the daily drug may not be necessary after all. Read more to discover a new revolutionary treatment that could make your cholesterol half.

In relation: 4 foods lowering your cholesterol, according to the dietitians .

A new study revealed that it was possible to reduce cholesterol without statins.

Man Getting Heart Checked By Doctor
DC Studio / Shutterstock

A new study published this month by Verve Therapeutics at a meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA) revealed revolutionary results which suggest a possible new treatment For high cholesterol, according to The New York Times . Therapy uses gene editing technology and requires only one infusion for life protection against heart disease, which makes it somewhat similar to a vaccine.

For the study, Verve recruited 10 patients with a disease that causes a serious heart disease, which has led to chest pain and heart attacks. The patients had each tried medication to obtain their cholesterol in check, but could not reach a healthy level.

The three patients who received the highest doses of genetic editing treatment saw their low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (or bad cholesterol) are between 39 and 55%. This brought them closer to their objective of a healthy cholesterol level.

In relation: New unique shot that has been shown to reduce high blood pressure for 6 months, researchers say .

Here's how the treatment works.

close up of doctor placing stethoscope on patient's chest
Dropout

Gene publishing technology seems futuristic - and it is in many ways. The treatment involved giving patients a microscopic lipid nanoparticles infusion which could definitively deactivate the PCSK9 gene, which is active in the liver and increases LDL cholesterol, according to Nature .

"Instead of daily pills or intermittent injections on decades to reduce bad cholesterol, this study reveals the potential of a new treatment option - a Therapy in one course This can lead to a deep drop in LDL-C for decades, "said the author of the main study Andrew Mr. Bellinger , MD, PHD, by AHA.

This type of treatment was previously considered improbable for patients with high cholesterol.

"Until now, we have thought of edition of genes as a treatment that we should book for very rare diseases where there is no other treatment", " Daniel Skovronsky , MD, scientific chief and doctor of the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, who plans to collaborate with Verve on future research, told the Nyt . "But if we can make the edition of genes safe and widely available, why not go after a more common disease?"

After the study, the experts decided that the treatment seemed to be sure.

In relation: Common statins increase the risk of diabetes, discovers a new study .

The study had some complications.

Laptop, stethoscope and doctor writing in notebook for research planning or medical tech innovation in hospital office. Healthcare medic worker, research strategy book notes and online communication
istock

Although the researchers finally decided that the treatment seemed safe, the study had its hiccups. One participant died of a cardiac arrest five weeks after the infusion, and another had a heart attack the day after the infusion. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

However, "the independent safety and monitoring monitoring card of the study has judged [these reactions] the result of their underlying serious heart disease", according to the Nyt . They advised researchers to continue the study.

Verve's share price has flowed almost 40% after the results of the study - and the news of these events - was published, said Nature . The company will continue its trial in 2024.

He could eliminate the need for statins.

A generic pack of statins with a stethoscope. A controversial anti cholesterol medication.All logos removed.
istock

If the genetic editing treatment should become widely available, it could transform the future of cardiology by minimizing the need for statins. According to Nyt , less than 60% of patients diagnosed with heart disease takes a statin, and only a quarter takes one of the most effective.

A 2021 study revealed that only 55% of those who were prescribed a statine Always used it after six months, according to NBC News. It is not difficult to guess why: Statine Side effects may include Muscle pain, liver damage, memory loss, confusion and increase in blood sugar, according to the Mayo clinic.

"No symptoms are associated with high cholesterol levels, so it is difficult to convince patients that they must take a drug for prevention before the disaster occurs", "," Steven Nissen MD, president of cardiovascular medicine at Cleveland Clinic, told NBC News.

With the potential of a new One-And-Done treatment, anything that could change.

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Best Life offers the most up -to -date information for high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.


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