ecently, siRNA technology opened a new avenue for effective manipulation of regenerative pathways involved in heart tissue including cell cycle and inflammatory reactions. One of the major factors that should be considered for delivering siRNA to heart tissue is the type of delivery vehicle. To date, many delivery systems such as viral vectors, lipid carriers or polymeric nanoparticles are used for siRNA delivery to heart [147]. Each of these vehicles have their own advantages and disadvantages that affect the efficacy of siRNA delivery and consequently the heart regeneration process. For example, Eulalio et al. have shown that siRNA administration by viral vector can significantly increase the cardiac function and eliminate the infarcted zone in the injured heart without fibrosis induction. …show more content…
Meis1 is a key regulatory protein for cardiac differentiation during embryonic development and using siRNA against Mesi1 can increase the proliferation of cardiomyocytes about threefold [145]. Additionally, siRNA administration against PLB, a key regulator of cardiac Ca2+ homeostasis, can improve cardiac function in heart failure. It was suggested from this study that down-regulation of PLB can enhance the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (SERCA2a) and therefore can improve the cardiac function [149-151]. Another strategy for heart regeneration is targeting the inflammatory reactions in infarcted area of myocardium. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the key factors in inflammatory reactions and provoking heart regeneration (i.e. cardiomyocytes apoptosis, fibroblast proliferation and myocyte hypertrophy). NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase is a major source for superoxide production in infarcted myocardium that contains a catalytic subunit, Nox2
These stated facts very well implicate an imperative need to investigate promising alternative treatment strategies as well preventive measures. Impairment in cardiac functions, organ (heart) failure or trigger of compensatory mechanisms (hypertrophy, neurohumoral system activation, autokrine, paracrine stimulation, etc) are the result of loss in cardiac myocytes predominantly due to myocardial infarction (Zimmermann and Eschenhagen, 2003). In addition to the traditional treatment of
Did you know that your heart is the same size as both your hands clasped together? Well it's true when you are a kid your heart is the size of your fist, but when you are an adult your heart is like your two hands together. The heart is an organ that keeps you alive. It is in your chest and is protected by the rib cage.
It is important to recognize the severity of heart disease in both the generic and acquired forms. A typical adult heart has approximately five billion heart cells, all pulsing in sync with every heartbeat. These cells can be de destroyed with many different health conditions like; high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular disease. As we age it is evident that out heart is also aging, which age in mind after the first half of our lives cells which have been damaged are unable to replace them selves. Heart failure occurs when the myocardium is unable to meet the body’s metabolic demands. Unlike some organs, the heart has limited, if any, capacity for repair after injury. Heart transplantation remains
The human heart is one of the most important organs that are in the human body. This organ is necessary for people to be able to live. There are a couple of functions that the heart does that makes it so important. It is responsible for circulating blood in the body, as well as ensuring that the blood pressure is kept at a constant rate. Your heart can be found in the center of your chest. The human heart is divided into four quarters by a strong muscle. The upper portion of the heart is known as the atria, and the lower portion is known as the ventricle.
Heart disease currently affects more than 100 million people around the World. Biomedical scientists and engineers have developed devices such as defibrillators, pacemakers, and artificial hearts to keep patients alive until a donor heart becomes available. Artificial hearts prove to become the most effective choice for severely ill patients. In 1995, 2400 heart transplants were performed while 4000 patients awaited donor hearts; 731 of these patients died waiting, an immediate need exists for the advancement of artificial hearts. Six of 7 deaths were related to infection (mediastinitis, pneumonia and sepsis) and the remaining 1 was due to failure of the transplanted heart. Artificial hearts provide a viable option for patient awaiting heart
Over the past 50 years there has been many great inventions especially in the healthcare field. I feel the most important is the Artificial Heart that was invented in 1982. In the United States heart disease is the number one cause of death. The artificial heart is a prosthetic device that is implanted into the chest cavity to replace the heart. The device is bigger and heavier than the adult human heart. Artificial hearts help patients regain their health and get ready for a transplant.
Cardiomyocytes or cardiac muscle cells are vital for the heart function despite their numbers being considerably lower than other types of cells in cardiac tissue. The loss of cardiomyocytes and its insufficient regeneration is the major contributor in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, cardiac fibrosis and heart failure (Bergmann et al., 2009; Porrello et al., 2011b; Mollova et al., 2013). In fact, the injury induced adult myocardial tissue remodeling results from the lack of cardiomyocytes replenishment, while the neonatal and fetal myocardial tissues retain its contractile tissue from the proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes after injury (Porrello et al., 2011b). This is mainly due
Coronary heart disease, one of the most pervasive diseases, has influenced millions of individuals around the globe. In 1995, 4000 patients waited for donor hearts and 731 of them died waiting (ijates). As the number of patients suffering from heart disease increased, the demand for donor hearts increased along with it. For this reason, it has brought biomedical engineers and researchers closer to developing devices like defibrillators and artificial hearts that may alleviate patients’ pain. Artificial heart transplant machines are now reliable treatment options for heart failure. These machines are utilized as a substitute until a donor organ can be found. Statistics show that this method has resulted in an improvement of survival rate of 80% (Martin Struber). Although artificial hearts are costly and potentially life threatening, it is conceivable that these machines may have a more prominent part to play as their expenses diminish and technological improvements expand dependability.
As a result, the process comprises elevated rates of cardiomyocyte cell death. Heart failure from a clinical point of view is now recognized as the foremost cardiovascular disorder in the Western world regardless of significant developments in the surgical and medical treatment of heart failure. Further, in order to inhibit the development of heart failure and cardiac remodeling, it is important to be knowledgeable about cell death mechanism concerning not only necrosis and apoptosis but also autophagy in cardiomyocytes, and to have the ability to classify potential therapeutic
For maximum heart health, you need to eat a well-balanced diet. But what does that really mean? “Try a diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber,” recommends Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD, adjunct professor in the department of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University. Here’s how to put such a diet in place.
What habits can affect heart health? Millions of people currently suffer from various types of heart conditions, but only a few have changed their lifestyle to mend them. So far, exercise and diet are common methods of maintaining heart health, but it isn’t the only solutions. To better understand the risks of heart conditions and discover specific ways to live a long and healthy life, I have researched numerous ways to increase the life expectancy of the human body, specifically the heart. To further understand the types and amounts of habits that can affect heart health I referenced ten scholarly articles and a book relating to heart health, function, and condition.
Stem cell research into heart disease has shown some very promising results. The potential method in using stem cells to treat heart disease is by replacing all of the damaged heart tissue with healthy
The circulatory system is responsible for bringing all the gaseous wastes (carbon dioxide) to the centre – the heart. Next the respiratory system works in conjunction with it by taking the carbon dioxide from the blood out through the mouth via the alveoli which is a sac where oxygen gets absorbed and carbon dioxide gets absorbed out. The circulatory system is also involved in cellular respiration, cellular respiration is where the oxygenated blood diffuse into the thin network of capillaries and the carbon dioxide is taken out of the capillaries into the vein where it gets transferred into the heart where it collects oxygen again and the carbon dioxide is excreted via the alveoli. The respiratory system also
There is a higher incidence rate for men ages 75-84. There is also a higher incidence rate for men ages 85-94. 66% of cardiovascular disease occurs in people of the age 75 and older. The leading cause of death in women over the age of 65 is heart disease. In 2005 cardiovascular disease in people greater than 65 was the underlying cause of death in 864,480 of the approx. 2.5 million total deaths in the U.S. This accounted for 82% of the deaths that year. After any kind of cardiovascular episode, all patients are at risk for disability and a possible repeat episode.
A report from the ASC Guidelines, Standards committee & the Chamber Quantification Writing Group. Developed in conjunction with the EAE, a branch of the ESC. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2005; 18:1440-1463.