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Stroke news: Researchers limit tissue damage in mice
21 April 2011
Scientists have used a jab to limit the effects of reduced blood flow in mice, it has been reported this week.
Reduced blood flow in the body happens when a person has a heart attack or a stroke, and can have serious consequences.
The brain depends on a supply of blood for the oxygen and nutrients it requires to function properly. When the blood supply is disrupted - when someone has a stroke - brain cells are starved of oxygen and nutrients. This causes damage to the brain tissue.
Reducing tissue damage
In this new research, scientists administered an injection BEFORE intervening to limit blood supply to the hearts of mice for 30 minutes. The jab contained an antibody that stops an inflammatory response when blood flow returns to tissues that have been starved of oxygen. It did this by blocking the action of MASP-2, the agent that causes the inflammatory response. The scientists then let the blood flow again for 2 hours.
As a result of the injection, tissue damage in mice injected with the antibody that blocked MASP-2 was reduced more than twofold compared to that in mice receiving a control antibody, although damage was not avoided completely.
Further research needed
Some press reports have suggested that this could lead to effective treatment for heart attack and stroke in humans.
However, the NHS website commented: "Although this was good scientific research, the immediate implications of it have been exaggerated."
"Extensive further research is needed to see whether MASP-2 is a viable and safe drug target after someone has had a stroke or heart attack to prevent further damage taking place."
Find out more
- NHS article: Study probes ways of reducing heart attack damage
This article analyses the research in more detail, and has a link to the original journal article. - Stroke resources from the Brain and Spine Foundation
