Urine Test And Artery Disease

Findings of a recent research by German scientists have hinted that someday it would be possible to forecast coronary artery aliments by conducting a simple urine examination. The new urine examination will try to detect the presence of protein collagen pieces in the urine. It may be mentioned here that collagen, especially found in the skin, bone, cartilage, tendon and teeth, performs a key function in obstructing the heart arteries.

During the course of their study, the researchers detected that compared to the present procedure of foretelling coronary artery ailment called ‘coronary angiography’, the urine tests conducted by them was 84 per cent correct. Nevertheless, the research was very limited and the scientists are of the opinion that they require to go back to the animal prototypes with a view to acquire new answers before they are able to carry out more urine tests in humans.

According to the author of the study and a fellow in cardiology at the University Hospital Freiberg, Dr. Constantin von zur Muehlen, the concept behind the urine examination is to try to find collagen that develops into a fibrous top on the inside layer of the arteries. Such tops or caps manufacture collagen pieces known as proteomes. The research team headed by Muehlen discovered 17 proteomes in the patients suffering from coronary artery ailments. These proteomes are not found in other people. Dr. Muehlen said that acute amassing of these proteomes in urine is an indication of an artery ailment.

In all, 67 people possessing symptoms of coronary artery ailment were requested to supply their urine sample for this research. These urine samples were examined to find proteomes and when the findings of these tests were compared to the outcomes of the coronary angiography, it was established that the results of the urine tests conducted by Dr. Muehlen’s research team were 84 per cent correct. According to Dr. Muehlen, figures collected by the research team hinted that examining proteome pieces found in the urine gives an idea about their great potential. Dr. Muehlen said that proteome analysis is not only simple to use, demonstrates tremendous capability to reproduce and also does not injure in any way.

Dr. Constantin von zur Muehlen provided an account of the discoveries of his research team at the American Heart Association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology conference in Washington, D.C.

Many physicians state that they have been looking for different ways to make a diagnosis of the coronary artery ailment without including ‘coronary angiography’ in the process. In fact, several other researchers on the subject have concentrated on finding other biomarkers (specific physical traits used to measure or indicate the effects of a disease) such as albumin in urine. However, thus far none of the tests have succeeded.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muehlen has stated that his research team will undertake more studies on the urine examination to improve it aptitude to forecast artery ailments. They now intend to work with a breed of mice genetically engineered to acquire coronary artery ailment as they mature.