Stem Cells Treat Heart Problems
The controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells has dominated health news for several months now. However, two new studies show that embryonic stem cells are not the only type possible for treating medical problems.
In the first study, researchers from Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City conducted experiments in which they injected stem cells from human bone marrow into rats that had damage to their hearts resembling a heart attack. According to the results published in Nature Medicine (volume 7, pages 430-436, April 2001), the cells migrated to the heart tissue, and developed into new blood vessels.
The second study, which is published in the journal Nature (volume 410, pages 701-705, 2001), involved the injection of stem cells from the bone marrow of healthy mice into mice with damaged heart muscle. After nine days, these transplanted cells had replaced almost all of the damaged cells in the mice's hearts.
Both studies indicate that there is a likelihood that one day, adult stem cells may be used to treat heart disease, although much more research is needed before clinical trials may begin.
  
Early Puberty Likely In Overweight Girls
The current US trend seems to be toward an increase in body weight, particularly in children. This has been linked to numerous health concerns, including an increase in the rate of diabetes. New research indicates that for girls, the increase in body weight may be linked to reaching puberty at earlier ages.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill recently compared the health records of 6,500 teenage girls, and found that differences in body weights could be tied to ethnicity and the age at which the girls began puberty. The scientists found that African American girls were 55% more likely than white girls to have their first period before the age of 11, and Latino girls were 76% more likely. Asian girls were 65% more likely than white girls to reach puberty at the age of 14 or older.
The results of the study, which are published in the American Journal of Public Health (volume 91, pages 642-644, April 2001), also indicated that the girls' age at puberty may influence their body weight. Overall, over 40% of the girls who had their first period before the age of 11 were overweight, as compared to the 25% of girls who reached puberty at a later time
The researchers believe this study emphasizes the need for health education, and for programs for prevention of obesity in children.
Heart Disease Not Taken Seriously
Although there is much published material on the way to achieve a healthier lifestyle, few people seem to be following those guidelines. This is particularly clear in people who have heart problems, and for whom a healthier lifestyle may be the difference between living and dying.
In 1995, researchers from the National Heart and Lung Institute in London examined over 3,500 people with heart problems in nine European countries. A similar study was conducted in 2000 to determine if any improvements had been made. Results published in the journal The Lancet (April 2001) indicated that few people had taken steps to reduce the chance of further heart problems. Smoking increased from 19% to 21%, obesity increased from 25% to 33%, and high blood pressure rates remained close to 55% in each trial.
Positive changes occurred with cholesterol levels, as high levels decreased from 86% to 59%. This is probably due to the fact that more people were getting heart medication. Unfortunately, few people seemed to be taking steps to change their lifestyles to be healthier after their heart problems.
Lose An Enzyme & Eat More/Weigh Less
If questioned about the ideal weight loss program, many people would respond with some sort of plan involving losing weight by eating more and exercising less. A new rat study involving a particular enzyme indicates that that may be possible.
A recent issue of the journal Science (volume 291; pages 2613-2616; March 30, 2001) includes a study authored by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The researchers worked with mice that had been genetically altered to suppress an enzyme involved in fat metabolism. These mice were able to eat 40% more food than normal mice, and still weigh 10-15% less.
The enzyme that was missing in the mice was acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2, or ACC2, which is mostly found in skeletal and cardiac muscle. ACC2 and a similar enzyme called ACC1 assist in the production of a compound needed for burning fat in the body. In the study, researchers bred mice that lacked either one of the enzymes. They found that those that lacked ACC1 died as embryos, but those that lacked ACC2 did very well. In fact, their body fat was 50% less than normal mice because they continually burned fat.
More research is needed to determine whether manipulating ACC2 in people would have similarly favorable results.
Moderate Exercise Has Maximum Effects
For many people, beginning an exercise program can seem overwhelming. However, new data indicates that regular moderate exercise can burn far more calories than intense exercise performed irregularly.
The study was conducted by researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and is published in the journal Nature (April, 2001). Thirty men and women participated in the study, and were monitored over the course of two weeks with a motion sensor called a Tracmor. The participants were also given water that was supplemented with stable isotopes, which are also found in the body.
Researchers measured the participants' isotope usage by taking urine samples at the beginning and end of the study. In this way, researchers were able to measure the amount of energy expended by the participants. They indicate that regular moderate activity was better than sporadic intense activity, particularly for people in middle-age or with a body mass characterized as obese.
Call 911 If You Have A Heart Attack
When someone is having a heart attack, every second counts in avoiding permanent damage or death. However, a recent poll indicates that only half of all heart attack victims call 911 to get immediate medical attention.
The poll was conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who analyzed the data on 328,000 people who'd had a heart attack between the years 1994 and 1998. The researchers presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans, Louisiana (March 20, 2001). They found that only about half of these people had called an ambulance. Those who were least likely to call 911 were men and younger people.
The study indicates that more health education is vital in promoting a call to 911 when people are experiencing symptoms of heart attack. Paramedics can begin immediate medical treatment, and people can be admitted to hospitals far more quickly than if they were to transport themselves.
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