Transplantation saves lives, but organs don't last very long. University of Michigan staff
Currently, donor hearts are stored inrefrigerator for only about four hours. The problem is that a molecule called succinate accumulates in the organ while it is on ice. Later, when blood enters the heart again, this substance causes oxidative stress, which then leads to organ damage and heart failure. It is one of the leading causes of death in transplant patients.
Scientists from the University of Michigan have testedhow to address the problem with itaconate, an enzyme known to neutralize succinate. By reviewing a database of metabolic effects, the team identified valproic acid as a promising source of itaconate.
Using metabolic screening, we found that valproic acid can reprogram the donor heart to produce beneficial itaconate during organ preservation.
Paul Tang, senior author of the study
In tests on human and porcine hearts,when stored in the refrigerator, valproic acid helped the heart produce antioxidants and anti-inflammatory proteins that relieved the stress caused by succinate.
Read more:
A powerful flare erupted on the Sun: it has already affected the Earth
Medieval fortress accidentally discovered in the forest: the find surprised scientists
Scientists have found a new genetic disease in children: how it manifests itself