London, Nov 4 (IANS) A new research has shown a
protein, which controls the growth of new blood vessels, could
potentially reduce the effects of cardiovascular disease in patients'
legs, including risks of leg ulcers, gangrene, and amputation.
The
new research, involving scientists from the University of Nottingham in
Britain and Boston University in the US, has been published in the
latest issue of a leading academic journal Nature Medicine, Xinhua
reported.
The study centered on the role signal protein vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in peripheral arterial disease
(PAD), which is one of the most common causes of leg amputation.
The
femoral artery becomes blocked by a build-up of fatty deposits leading
to ischemia, or loss of blood flow. In the most serious cases, leg
tissue begins to die because of gangrene, and the lower leg may need to
be removed.
The study found that patients with this disease did
not produce the correct form of VEGF needed to stimulate new blood
vessel growth in their leg, placing them at greater risk of losing the
affected limb.
According to experts, this research has revealed a
possible new target for treating people with PAD, which could
potentially be manipulated to help improve blood supply to an
oxygen-starved limb, lowering the chances of amputation for people with
this condition.
The antibody could be used to treat patients with
PAD over the course of several months until new blood vessels in their
legs have been restored.
The study also showed that administering
an antibody of the wrong type of VEGF to obese and diabetic mice
reduces the effects of cardiovascular disease. Researchers are now set
to develop a similar antibody for use in humans.