Research Continuous calcium influx weakens the heart

Scientists have discovered a key mechanism in the development of chronic heart failure: is the heart permanently overloaded, e.g. Due to hypertension, two specific proteins continuously allow calcium to enter the muscle cells. This initiates morbid remodeling of the heart muscle.

Picture: Alterfalter / fotolia

If the proteins are switched off again in animal experiments, the heart remains powerful despite the same load and the changes are minimal - without the power and rhythm of the heart suffering as a result. The calcium signaling pathway could therefore provide a worthwhile starting point for new therapies for the targeted prevention of chronic heart failure, as scientists have said.

Permanently elevated blood pressure, diseases of the heart valves as well as bottlenecks on the aorta mean heavy work for the heart. It compensates for this burden by excessive muscle growth (hypertrophy) and deposition of connective tissue (fibrosis). Chronic heart failure, arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death can be the consequences.

The team of scientists investigated the extent to which an important signaler of the heart, calcium, is involved in this mechanism. Calcium is essential for heart function - very rapid, cyclic changes in the level of calcium in cardiac cells keep the heartbeat going. This requires the precise interaction of different proteins, the calcium channels and transporters, in the cell envelope or inside the cells, which either allow calcium into the cell or transport it out again. Here separate calcium channels are necessary, which function independently of the heartbeat. Two key channel proteins, TRPC1 and TRPC4, have now been discovered. You can see the study here. (Pm)