Long-term gene therapy resulted in improved cardiac function and reversed deterioration of the heart in rats with heart failure, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University’s Center for Translational Medicine. The study was published online in Circulation.

The rats were treated with a gene that generates a peptide called ßARKct, which was administered to hearts in combination with recombinant-adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (rAAV5). ßARKct works by inhibiting the activation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2).

GRK2 is a kinase that is increased in heart failure myocardium. Enhanced GRK enzymatic activity contributes to the deterioration of the heart in heart failure, according to Walter J. Koch, PhD, the W.W. Smith Professor of Medicine and the director of the Center for Translational Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Koch’s research team carried out the study, which was led by Giuseppe Rengo, MD, a post-doctoral fellow.

“The theory is that by inhibiting this kinase, the heart will recover partially due to reversal of the desensitization of the b-adrenergic receptors,” Dr. Koch said. “The expression of bARKct leads to a negative neurohormonal feedback that prevents the heart from continuing on the downward slope during heart failure. This was one novel finding of the study.”

You probably know that a breakfast high in saturated fat and cholesterol isn’t good for your body, especially your heart. But you may want some heart-healthy choices besides the old standbys – such as oatmeal and high-fiber cereal.

For a fresh, filling and heart-smart breakfast, try our Multi-Grain Pancakes. With whole wheat flour, oats and cornmeal, plus skim milk and fat-free yogurt, they’re a terrific alternative to regular pancakes.

To quench your thirst – and squeeze in a serving of fruit – sip on an Orange Pineapple Shake. Made with nonfat yogurt, calcium-fortified orange juice and unsweetened pineapple juice, this fat-free shake is sweet and satisfying – a perfect complement to the pancakes.

You can find even more healthy recipes on the new Jefferson Hospital Health eCooking site.

A wide array of studies suggests that a lack of vitamin D – which is absorbed primarily through sunlight – helps boost the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology recently published a review of numerous studies linking cardiovascular risk with vitamin D deficiency.

The authors note that vitamin D deficiency is associated with major risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and stiffening of the left ventricle of the heart and blood vessels. In addition, people with this deficiency have increased inflammation – another factor in heart disease.

Jefferson cardiologist Matthew V. DeCaro, MD, acknowledges the growing body of literature indicating that low levels of vitamin D are a marker of problems.

“There is preliminary evidence that replenishing vitamin D can help,” he explains. “But there are also lots of examples where abnormal levels indicate problems, but changing the levels had no effect.”

In other words, Dr. DeCaro says, these studies are leading to more hypotheses, or research questions, that will need to be addressed through well-designed larger studies.

Cognitive and social activity in midlife may significantly reduce men’s risk of dementia, say researchers in the medical journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The study followed 147 male twin pairs for 28 years.

Among the twins, higher cognitive activity scores predicted a 26 percent reduction in risk for developing dementia first. Twins who developed dementia first had significantly lower total cognitive activity scores than twins who did not develop dementia.

The study found that reduced dementia risk was most strongly associated with participation in intermediate novel activities – including home and family activities, visiting with friends and relatives, club activities (such as attending parties and playing card games) and home hobbies.

Two other categories of cognitive activities – novel and passive receptive – also reduced dementia risk, though not to the same degree as intermediate novel activities. Novel activities include reading, studying for courses and extra work (overtime or other employment). Receptive activities include watching television, listening to radio, going to movies or seeing theater, art and music shows.

In other words, staying active and involved in midlife and beyond may help maintain mental and physical health – and can definitely keep life interesting!

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, visit Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience.