Scientists have discovered new ways in which the body regulates blood clots, which could lead to the development of better treatments to help prevent and treat conditions including heart diseases, stroke and vascular dementia.
Led by the University of Exeter and funded by the British Heart Foundation, the team has developed a new technique that allows them to simultaneously measure blood clotting and the formation of free radicals.
Among other unwanted effects, free radicals play a role in the build-up of blood clots, which, in turn, are considered a key driver in the a development of a range of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, and inflammation-related conditions.
The technique combines electron paramagnetic resonance, a cutting-edge method for detecting free radicals, with aggregometry – an established technique for measuring blood clotting.
The team successfully used the technique in mice and in human cells. They aim to better understand how bloodcells function, which will help to develop new drugs against blood clotting diseases.
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