Researchers found a vaccine capable of holding LDL cholesterol levels at bay.
In the United States, there are approximately 75 million people who suffer from high level of LDL cholesterol. Many of them undergo statin therapies, which seek to keep down the rate of “bad” cholesterol”. It seems that, new vaccine for high cholesterol will replace the traditional statin therapy.
Statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels. The active compound inside them is engineered to target and inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This particular enzyme is responsible for regulating cholesterol levels in our body. Among the most popular drugs available on the market, that contain cholesterol inhibitors are atorvastatin, fluvastatin and lovastatin.
The drug itself is used in the prevention of heart disease and even strokes in persons who exhibit high levels of LDL cholesterol. The reason why further research is being conducted is because statin proved to have severe side-effects. Doctors who have prescribe statin to patients have come to realize that their drugs are basically the opposite. Statin was proven to increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Also, patients using statins complained of severe muscle pains and their liver enzymes levels were off the charts.
The new vaccine for high cholesterol has shown promising results in mice and small monkey. Bryan Chackerian, the author of the study and one of many researchers involved in this new project, said that the results of the trial are very promising indeed. Moreover, the vaccine itself proved to be more efficient and less harmful than statins.
Both vaccine and statins are engineered to target a specific group of cholesterol found in our bodies. LDL cholesterol or “the big, bad” cholesterol can work around you body’s normal functions and attach itself to the arteries. There it will build up over time, eventually resulting in the obstruction of the artery. The most severe form of obstruction, called clots can travel to your brain or your heart, producing strokes.
The new vaccine has been made to target a specific cholesterol-regulating protein, called PCSK9. By injecting it into your bloodstream, the vaccine basically commands your body to break loose those receptors that the cholesterol binds to, as it goes out of your system.
Researchers have added that the vaccine could also prove to be good for our financial health. Dr. Alan Remaley, added that people with high cholesterol spend a whopping 10000 dollars per year on statin medication. This vaccine should cost less than that and its result are simply astonishing.
The team plans to make the vaccine available soon and are on the lookout for investors.
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