Methods and compositions for healing heart wounds

Patent Number: 6852706

This patent teaches activation of cardiac healing processes through reducing levels of thyroid hormone. This patent seems to depart substantially from the common notion that thyroid hormone is actually beneficial for the heart. For example, it is published that reducing thyroid hormone by administration of propylthiouracil actually leads to cardiac atrophy, angina and general deterioration (Tang YD et al. Low thyroid function leads to cardiac atrophy with chamber dilatation, impaired myocardial blood flow, loss of arterioles, and severe systolic dysfunction. Circulation. 2005 Nov 15;112(20):3122-30).

In this patent, the use of agents that reduce thyroid hormone, including propylthiouracil, are actually contemplated for accelerating heart healing.

Other studies have demonstrated that thyroid hormone is important in neurogenesis, as well as in adult neurogenesis in the dendate gyrus (Ambrogini P, et al. Thyroid hormones affect neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of adult rat.Neuroendocrinology. 2005;81(4):244-53.)

The bottom line is that we often study cells in isolation or in defined media, overlooking the actual endocrine, immune and neurological mileux in which cells reside. If indeed it is possible to modulate stem cell functions through combinations of clinically available means, these should be investigated.

View this patent on the USPTO website.