Cardiac Protection Offered by Viagra, Says Research Finding
Date: February 15, 2006
In a new study finding, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has found that Viagra protects the heart against tissue damage, following a severe heart attack.
Dr. Kukreja, the lead author of this study findings, a Ph.D, Professor of Medicine, Physiology, Biochemistry and Emergency Medicine at VCU says, "Our findings further support the concept that the novel class of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, or PDE-5 inhibitors, including Levitra and Viagra, may have a new utility in cardiac protection, in addition to their well-known use for the management of erectile dysfunction in men."
PDE5 inhibitor drugs like Viagra (sildenafil citrate) are PDE5 inhibitor drugs. PDE5 is an enzyme responsible for the destruction of cGMP, which is an intracellular messenger molecule in the heart cells. The enzyme cGMP also plays an important role in preconditioning of the heart after the heart attack, along with the mitochondrial KATP channel.
Sildenafil stabilizes the mitochondria and protects against damage of the heart by opening the mitochondrial KATP channels in cardiac cells. Mitochondria are cellular organelles critical for converting oxygen into ATP, the key fuel for cellular function.
The day is not far when we may hear that an anti-erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, is being given to patients who run a high risk of severe heart attack or may be given to patients before they undergo coronary artery bypass surgery to optimize the heart protection.
Source: News-Medicine.Net |
www.viagracare.com
