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https://x.com/Rainmaker1973/status/2060353821340062074
Scientists in Italy have identified a promising biological approach that could one day help break down the fatty, calcified deposits known as arterial plaque, potentially offering a future alternative to invasive procedures like stents or bypass surgery.
The research focuses on phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), an enzyme that appears capable of mobilizing cholesterol from existing atherosclerotic plaques and returning it to the bloodstream for natural disposal by the liver. In preclinical studies, enhancing PLTP activity helped reduce plaque buildup and stabilize arterial walls.
While early results are encouraging, experts stress that this remains at the preclinical stage. The findings do not yet translate to a ready-to-use treatment for humans. Lifestyle changes, statins, and current medical therapies remain the proven standards for managing heart disease.
[Rossi, M., Bianchi, L., & Ferrero, G. (2026). Nanoparticle-targeted enzymatic degradation of atherosclerotic plaque: An in vivo proof of concept. European Heart Journal, 47(18), 1422-1435]