Harnessing an active ingredient of fruit and vegetables to fight atherosclerosis

Investigation of the anti-atherogenic actions of (+)-catechin in vivo (Miss Yee Chan)

Atherosclerosis is the name that doctors use for the narrowing of arteries due to fatty plaques building up in the walls of the blood vessel. It’s the condition that leads to angina, heart attacks and some strokes. The development of statins – which reduce cholesterol - has cut deaths from atherosclerosis, but still each day hundreds of people have a heart attack in the UK. New treatment options are urgently needed. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are thought to help prevent atherosclerosis, and these researchers want to understand what underlies this protective effect. They are studying a chemical called (+)-catechin, which is present in foods such as apples, blackberries and cocoa. (+)-catechin is known to reduce blood pressure and Professor Ramji’s studies have shown that it hampers several biological steps associated with atherosclerosis in cells grown in the lab. This project will investigate the protective effects of (+)-catechin in mice, and examine exactly how it works. The research will considerably improve our understanding of the protective actions of (+)-catechin during atherosclerosis. It will add to the evidence behind heart-healthy dietary advice, and could help to inform whether this natural chemical might be harnessed in a medicine for additional protection against atherosclerosis and its consequences.