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It is possible to reverse the tissue damage that is caused when suffering from a heart attack. At least, that is the statement made by a team of scientists at the University of Bristol, located in the United Kingdom. They published a study explaining how pericytes - cells that surround blood vessels - can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. Thus, the heart heals more quickly. All thanks to a hormone called Leptin.

Leptin is produced by asipocytes - fat cells. Its functions include inhibiting appetite and regulating the body's energy balance. Now it is considered that it has an important function more. This finding is expected to have positive implications for the treatment of heart attacks, and also for the treatment of cancer.

The research studied the way in which pericytes promote the growth of blood vessels. He also revealed what role leptin plays in the procedure.

The generation of new blood vessels is called angiogenesis. The process is based in the body and can occur both when you are healthy and when you are sick. On the one hand, it repairs the tissues in case of an injury. But it is also capable of stimulating the growth and spread of cancer in the body.

Current treatment for heart damage
Coronary bypass surgery has become the star treatment for repairing the damage caused by a heart attack. In it, blood flow is improved by using blood vessels in the leg and other parts of the body. The recovery process is long and the surgery is quite invasive. Therefore, there is so much expectation in front of the new findings.

Experts explain that, during their studies, pericytes were able to produce 40 times more leptin when exposed to low oxygen levels. Thus, the tissues managed to build more blood vessels and helped increase the flow and supply oxygen. Its repercussions are greatest in areas where tissues do not have access to oxygen.

Consequences in innovative treatments
When it comes to a heart attack, when the blood supply to the muscle ceases, it could end up with a damaged heart. Investigations revealed that pericytes can also restore blood supply after an attack.

Barbara Harpham, the director of Heart Research UK, which is the company that financed the project, says that the discovery is expected to have positive consequences in the treatment of patients who suffered heart attacks. And it can also have repercussions on cancer treatment. The impact can generate a significant change in the development of regenerative cardiovascular medicine. It is expected to help heal the heart more quickly and force tumors to shrink by not having access to nutrients.

The findings can help develop new treatments that replace coronary bypass operations.