A recent study led by researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) and Yale University School of Medicine reveals that neutrophils possess an internal clock that regulates their activity and impact during heart attacks. This research indicates that heart attacks occurring at night tend to be less severe than those during the day, primarily due to the reduced aggressiveness of neutrophils in their nighttime state.
The study suggests that pharmacological intervention, specifically with a drug called ATI2341, can inhibit the neutrophil clock, effectively keeping these immune cells in a less harmful, night-like state. This approach not only minimizes tissue damage during myocardial infarctions but also preserves the immune system’s ability to combat infections, presenting a significant advancement over traditional therapies that compromise immune responses.
As myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, understanding the circadian dynamics of neutrophils offers a promising avenue for developing targeted therapies. The findings underscore the potential for chronobiology-based strategies to mitigate inflammatory damage while maintaining essential immune functions, paving the way for innovative treatments in cardiovascular care.
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