Discovery of a new protein involved in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease
An international research team involving scientists from McGill University Health Center and McGill University, has discovered a new protein fostering the emergence of cardiovascular disease. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the results show that high protein hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) therefore a risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers also demonstrate that this risk can be reduced by a treatment based on statins.
“The risk of cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of hs-CRP was greatly underestimated until now. Our findings demonstrate that this is an extremely important indicator to be taken into account in future “Said Jacques Genest of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center.
The researchers in question are involved in the project JUPITER, which analyzed 17,802 patients in 27 countries. These patients had a normal cholesterol and a rate of hs-CRP high. They were not considered “at risk” by current standards. During the study they received a daily dose of rosuvastatin, a drug class of statins. The consequences were conclusive: 44% decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, and 21% decrease mortality. (more…)