Heart disease can be prevented by altering fat metabolism

In a recent study, scientists were able to identify and arrest the action of a single molecular agent that affects the body’s ability to properly use, transport, and rid itself of cholesterol. This agent called glycosphingolipid, or GSL, resides in the membranes of all cells and is mostly known for regulating cell growth. The scientists used a human-made compound called D-PDMP to block the synthesis of the GSL molecule and prevented the development of heart disease in mice and rabbits fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. Read more in Circulation.

S Chatterjee et al. Circulation, 2014. DOI:

10.1161/%u200BCIRCULATIONAHA.113.007559