The researchers aim to explore the impact of gender and aging on CapZ levels in heart -
Why women have lower rates of heart failure than men most of their lives?
University of Guelph researchers have discovered a possible clue -. binding protein called actin 'CapZ "which also protects against heart attacks
now they will be studying how the levels are affected by sex and age, supported by a prestigious Catalyst Grant Canada's health research (CIHR).
Their research may lead to new therapies to reduce heart problems and prolong men's and women's lives.
"age continues to be the largest independent risk factor for developing heart failure," said Glen Pyle, professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Ontario Veterinary College and member of the U of G Centre for cardiovascular investigations.
"With people living longer in the world, it is expected that the rate of heart failure will increase dramatically."
premenopausal women are relatively protected against heart failure compared with men, Pyle said. But the gap begins to close after menopause; age 80, women and men are equal risk. Nobody knows exactly why.
It has been speculated that estrogen plays a role, "but what are the hormonal changes that make the cells in the heart? This is where we do not know much," Pyle said.
"Once we find out, we can identify what happens after menopause to make women more vulnerable to heart failure, and why they are protected earlier in life."
previously, Pyle have found that older male mice hearts contain higher levels CapZ that female mice of the same age. The males show signs of cardiac performance down, but females have normal function.
The group Pyle discovered that female mice decreases somehow CapZ levels to protect against cardiac dysfunction, whereas male mice are unable to do so.
Pyle and his research team genetically engineered male mice with lower levels CapZ, and found it prevented heart failure
"Even a small decline - 20 percent - protection offered ". he said
"These results suggest that CapZ may be a viable target for protecting the heart against the aging process."
He now plans to assess the impact of sex and aging on CapZ levels in the heart.
"We will consider how and when protein levels naturally change over time in both female and male mice," said Pyle, who studied CapZ for nearly 20 years.
They will need to study mice older than those usually used in the search -. two and three years, the equivalent of 70 and 0 years in humans
Nurturing laboratory mice at this age takes time and resources. That's why the $ 150,000 CIHR Catalyst Grant is critical, Pyle said. The funding comes from the Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Genetics, Institute of Infection and Immunity and the Institute of Gender and Health CIHR
"We intend to to age the most female mice to three years. - the equivalent of 0 years in humans - to see when they get to the point where they lose the protection of CapZ, "he said
This menopause is important because the time varies among women, and it takes time for the heart to change .. "Often we do not see an effect in women until they are in their 60 or 70 years, "said Pyle.
Pyle work with postdoctoral researcher Ilka Lorenzen-Schmidt on the project, which he called the" unique research and in understudied field. "
"the relative lack of research using female subjects is finally recognized as a major problem in medicine and aging populations in the world are creating the potential for an epidemic of heart failure," he said.
"This work will advance our understanding of the influence of gender and aging on heart function, and address new problems both at the same time."
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