Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. In 2006, according to the American Heart Association, nearly 37 percent of American suffered from a form of cardiovascular disease. Identification, prevention and control are key elements in reducing this health crisis. Technology is enabling medicine to discover that the very cause of heart disease may play a factor in its cure.
Identification
Proteolytic enzymes, or proteases, break down protein in the body. As simple as that may seem, proteases are a complex family of enzymes that are significant throughout the body by enhancing and degrading health. Some proteases simply break down protein you eat for nutrients, while others offer play pivotal roles in developing heart disease and providing diagnostic evidence for atherosclerosis.
Types
The most common proteolytic enzyme with regards to heart disease is cathepsin. Cathepsin can be further broken down into fifteen 'family members', each having their own function and identified by a letter. Cathepsin K and S are linked to artherosclerosis, and B, L and S have been useful diagnostic tools. Further studies are necessary to better define the uses of all proteolytic enzymes.
Function
Cathepsin has been shown to play a role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease by means of fibrous tissue growth in arteries leading to the heart. Likewise, a deficiency, or inhibition of cathepsin K and S reduces signs of atherosclerosis by slowing the development of fibrous tissue. The American Heart Association reported that in instances when plague builds up in the arteries, cathepsin B has proven to be a useful diagnostic tool for determining atherosclerosis and possibly preventing heart attacks.
Significance
Worldwide, 30 percent of deaths are from cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association has published several studies revealing the ability of imaging techniques to detect the presence of cathepsin enzymes offering the potential to detect heart disease earlier and possibly slowing its progression. Patients who've previously suffered a heart attack may benefit as diagnostic tools could detect future blockages due to protease buildup. Drugs may be able to inhibit certain enzyme accumulation preventing heart disease before it begins.
Sources
There are natural sources for proteases, such as papaya and pineapples, which are very rich in the digestive enzymes. You can obtain these enzymes from eating the fruit itself or over the counter in pill form. Understand that over-the-counter supplementation is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Therapeutic doses of proteolytic enzymes are dependent upon each case and are done so under the treatment of a doctor.
References
- "The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology"; Lutgens, S. et al.;Cathepsin cysteine proteases in cardiovascular disease; October; 2007
- "Circulation"; Chen, J. et al.; In Vivo Imaging of Proteolytic Activity in Atherosclerosis; May; 2003
- American Heart Association: International Cardiovascular Disease Statistics
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology"; Nahrendorf, M. et al.; Hybrid In Vivo FMT-CT Imaging of Protease Activity in Atherosclerosis With Customized Nanosensors; July; 2009
