STEM cell patches can fix heart failure by regenerating the muscle, tests show.
The treatment was found to increase the thickness of the heart wall, helping it to contract better to pump blood around the body.
Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter
Email address
Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy
Illustration of a heart with a stem cell patch.
A new study has successfully used a Stem cell patch to tackle heart failure by regenerating the muscle
Senior man experiencing chest pain and coughing.
Heart failure is common but deadly because it reduces the ability to pump blood around the bodyCredit: Getty
Its successful use in trials on monkeys and one human patient marks the first time doctors have been able to regrow human heart tissue.
Researcher Professor Ingo Kutschka said: “We observed the development of new heart muscle in a failing human heart for the first time.
“It shows that we are on the right track with the heart patch.”
But the team at the Göttingen University Medical Center in Germany were able to halt it by implanting collagen patches of 200million blank stem cells — which are capable of growing into any kind of tissue.
READ MORE ON HEART HEALTH
LIVE LONG & PROSPER 12 doctor-approved longevity tips to beat ‘big 4 killers’ & live longer
HEALTH CHECK Warning to over 40s – risk of hidden heart disease ‘high’ even if healthy
The scientists’ success means they have been given approval for a full-scale human trial.
Heart failure is common but deadly because it reduces the ability to pump blood around the body.
The muscle becomes weaker or stiffer over time, often as a result of damage from a heart attack or coronary artery disease.
As it gets more damaged, the heart is forced to work harder to keep blood pumping and more sections of become worn out and damaged until it is eventually fatal.
Most read in Health
DARK TRUTH My ket habit saw me snort lines for breakfast… then I peed CHUNKS of my bladder
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Family raising $6m for treatment to be approved in the US to save daughter, Image 2 shows Family raising $6m for treatment to be approved in the US to save daughter, Image 3 shows Family raising $6m for treatment to be approved in the US to save daughter
TRAGIC TWIST Our little girl’s EYEBROWS turned out to be hidden sign of dementia at just 3
A group of striking resident doctors hold “PAY RESTORATION FOR DOCTORS” signs in front of Bristol Royal Infirmary hospital.
DOC WON’T SEE YOU NOW NHS to be hit by winter chaos when docs strike for 5 days from TODAY
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Eating common UPFs ‘increases risk of bowel cancer-causing growths by 45%’
High blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat or a genetic condition may also trigger it.
The NHS estimates 920,000 people in the UK have heart failure and predicts cases will double to nearly 2million by 2040.
Play Video
Topics
Diet nutrition and weight lossHealth warningsHeart diseaseNHSThe Sun Newspaper
YOU MIGHT LIKE
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows German army displays new military training, in Ahlen, Image 2 shows Germany Bundeswehr Anniversary, Image 3 shows CHINA-RUSSIA-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY
REPORT FOR DUTY Every 18-year-old man called up for military tests in Germany amid WW3 fear
‘NEW ERA BEGINS’ Rangers hero takes training with new club just yards from Ibrox
An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A young woman in a shoe store examines a grey boot with studs
LOST SOLE Staff made redundant as Scots shoe shop closes down after 25 years
WHAT THE CLUCK Chickens loose on busy Scots road after escaping overturned trailer
DRINK IT IN Major Scot Prem club handed alcohol licence to sell pints in concourse up to kick-off
‘MURDERED’ AT HOME Girl stabbed to death in horrific attack is pictured as teen is arrested
NAZI PIECE OF WORK Ex-SPFL ace who runs neo-Nazi gang ‘arrested for smuggling guns & drugs’
OPENING UP Celtic manager frontrunner Wilfried Nancy breaks silence on Hoops links
An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Police vehicle with flashing blue lights on a city street at night
‘ATTACK’ ARREST Man, 18, arrested after woman ‘raped’ in Glasgow city centre
NET CLOSES IN Moment Marc Webley’s assassin & accomplice nailed by cops after gangland hit
NOT SO FAST Souness casts doubt over Gers transfer kitty and wouldn’t trust Thelwell anyway
HITMAN BLAST Chilling moment Marc Webley gunman fires off final shots before fleeing scene
Crispy fish and chips with mushy peas, tartar sauce, and lemon wedges on a plate.
FIRST PLAICE Unique chippy near Glasgow scoops huge award
TITLE TALK Gordon Strachan makes huge Premiership title prediction
GANG ASSASSIN Gunman murdered Scots gangster Marc Webley by shooting him dead outside pub
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Ibrahim Alshafe, wearing a gray tracksuit, being escorted by an officer, Image 2 shows Karin Al-Danasurt handcuffed next to a police officer, Image 3 shows Brighton Palace Pier on a sunny summer morning with seagulls on the pebbled beach
BEACH HORROR Hotel migrants in court after ‘dragging woman on to UK beach and raping her’
