U.S. researchers said they have identified a protein that reduces the extent of heart damage in rats undergoing a heart attack, according to a report in the Sept. 12 issue of journal Science.

If the compound works the same way in humans, this research may suggest a way to help protect patients during coronary bypass surgery or other events in which the heart does not receive enoughblood, said Science.

Many forms of heart disease begin with so-called "ischemic events," which result in the accumulation of toxic metabolites that cause irreversible tissue damage. Studying rodent models, the research team at Stanford University found that an enzyme called ALDH2 was consistently activated in hearts that were the most resistant to ischemia-induced damage.

In a rat heart attack model, administering a compound that activated ALDH2 before the ischemic insult led to a reduction in the extent of heart damage, an effect most likely due to decreased formation of cell-damaging aldehydes, said the researchers.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)