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英國科學家表示，他們發現控制血壓的新方法，為開發治療中風和心臟病藥物提供希望。

目前在英國每四個人當中就有一個人患有高血壓。雖然現在已經有治療高血壓的藥物，但是幾乎沒有任何藥物能夠使血壓控制在正常水平。

據《科學雜誌》報道說，倫敦大學國王學院開展的一項研究發現一種途徑與"氧化過程"（oxidation)有關。

長期以來，氧化過程總是被認為對人體有百害而無一利。

一般認為，自由基、氧自由基或稱活性氧的活動失去控制，超過一定量， 就會對細胞造成破壞。

但是自由基在促進正常細胞作用方面也能扮演重要角色。

控制血壓

蛋白激酵素G(protein kinase G，PKG)是所有組織中一種非常重要的蛋白，在心血管系統中對調節血壓發揮重要作用。

沒有血管中產生的一氧化氮(Nitric oxide, NO)就無法完成這個過程。

但是國王學院的專家伯戈因和他的同事發現了一種不依靠一氧化氮就能調節蛋白激酵素的新方法。

他們發現氧自由基或稱活性氧可以使兩個氨基酸結合在一起，然後激活蛋白激酵素，導致血壓下降。

領導這個研究小組的伊頓博士表示："這項研究有可能導致開發出激活這個途徑的新藥。"

研究人員計劃進一步研究這個新途徑與心臟病的關係。

資助這項研究的英國心臟病基金會醫學事務副主任皮爾森教授表示："這項研究令人感到激動。首先，這個小組的新發現為開發治療高血壓的新藥提供了機會。"

"其次，這個機制使我們對氧化壓力如何影響細胞和組織有了新的認識。氧化壓力不但改變血流，而且影響心臟的收縮能力，引發各種炎症。"


UK scientists say they have discovered a new way to regulate blood pressure, offering hopes of new drugs to combat strokes and heart attacks.

One in four adults has high blood pressure and although powerful drugs are already available, few manage to achieve target blood pressure levels.

The pathway found in a study by King's College London involves a process called oxidation, reports Science.

Until now, oxidation has largely been linked with harm rather than good.

Indeed, free radicals and oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide, can cause cell damage.

But they also play crucial roles in normal cell function.

Blood pressure control

Protein kinase G (PKG) is an important protein in all tissues, but in the cardiovascular system it plays a fundamental role in blood pressure regulation.

Nitric oxide produced within blood vessels is known to be crucial in this process.

But Joseph Burgoyne and colleagues at King's College have found a novel way in which the protein PKG can be regulated independently of nitric oxide.

The team's novel discovery opens up opportunities for the design of new drugs to combat high blood pressure The British Heart Foundation

They discovered that oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide cause a bond to form between two amino acids which, in turn, activates PKG. This then leads to a lowering of blood pressure.

Dr Philip Eaton, who led the King's team, said: "The research could lead to the development of drugs which activate this new pathway."

The researchers now plan to explore the role of this new pathway in the events leading to a heart attack.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, said: "This research is exciting. Firstly, the team's novel discovery opens up opportunities for the design of new drugs to combat high blood pressure.

"Secondly, the mechanism provides new insights into how oxidant stress affects cells and tissues. Oxidant stress not only alters blood flow, but also affects the heart's ability to contract and is involved in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions."

Oxidation May Be New Blood Pressure Regulator

A novel way of regulating blood pressure has been discovered by British scientists. This breakthrough could lead to innovative drugs that fight heart attacks and stroke.

One quarter of UK adults suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). Despite being treated with potent medication, many never manage to get their blood pressure levels back to normal.

Scientists at King's College London have found a pathway which involves oxidation. You can read about this in the journal Science.

Oxidation is a term we usually associate with free radicals and oxidants, which are harmful and cause cell damage. However, oxidation is central to normal cell function, say the scientists.

PKG (protein kinase G) plays a crucial part in regulating our blood pressure. We know that nitric oxide, which is produced inside our blood vessels, is a vital part of this process. The scientists, lead by Joseph Burgoyne, have discovered a new way PKG can be regulated without nitric oxide being involved.

Hydrogen peroxide, the scientists found, triggers a bond between two amino acids which activate PKG - resulting in lower blood pressure. They say this discovery could eventually lead to new drugs which activate this new pathway.

They would like to see what role this new pathway has in events that take place before the onset of a heart attack.

"Cysteine Redox Sensor in PKGI Enables Oxidant-Induced Activation"
Joseph R. Burgoyne, Melanie Madhani, Friederike Cuello, Rebecca L. Charles, Jonathan P. Brennan, Ewald Schröder, Darren D. Browning, Philip Eaton
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1144318
Click here to view abstract online

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
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