New potential drug target for the treatment of atherosclerosis

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Left: Plaque builds up in the aortic valve of mice prone to atherosclerosis. Right: Activating PPAR gamma significantly reduces the size of aortic lesions. Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Grant Barish Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Left: Plaque builds up in the aortic valve of mice prone to atherosclerosis. Right: Activating PPAR gamma significantly reduces the size of aortic lesions. Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Grant Barish, Salk Institute for Biological Studies

A nuclear receptor protein, known for controlling the ability of cells to burn fat, also exerts powerful anti-inflammatory effects in arteries, suppressing atherosclerosis in mice prone to developing the harmful plaques, according to new research by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Harvard School of Public Health.


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All News summaries for March 04, 2008

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