The revolutionary anti-impotence drug Viagra may prolong the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, according to recent research.
The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that taking the drug may ward off the onset of heart failure in muscular dystrophy patients.
Muscular dystrophy is a condition that results in general wasting of the muscles. The weakening of the heart muscles means that the organ is less efficient at pumping blood around the body and patients are more prone to heart failure. The first signs of muscular weakness appear at roughly age five, leading to a progressive loss in the ability to walk by the age of 13.
The research was conducted by scientists at the Montreal Heart Institute.
The team found that Viagra prevents the loss of a molecule, cGMP, which plays a key role in keeping blood vessels dilated. This enhances the supply of blood to the heart and keeps it working strongly for longer.
Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, director of research at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said the research was interesting.
However, she added: "It is important to remember that benefits seen in animals do not always translate into human medicine.
"Although this is promising, it is still very early days and we look forward to further research that will demonstrate the impact it might have for people with muscular dystrophy."
The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that taking the drug may ward off the onset of heart failure in muscular dystrophy patients.
Muscular dystrophy is a condition that results in general wasting of the muscles. The weakening of the heart muscles means that the organ is less efficient at pumping blood around the body and patients are more prone to heart failure. The first signs of muscular weakness appear at roughly age five, leading to a progressive loss in the ability to walk by the age of 13.
The research was conducted by scientists at the Montreal Heart Institute.
The team found that Viagra prevents the loss of a molecule, cGMP, which plays a key role in keeping blood vessels dilated. This enhances the supply of blood to the heart and keeps it working strongly for longer.
Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, director of research at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said the research was interesting.
However, she added: "It is important to remember that benefits seen in animals do not always translate into human medicine.
"Although this is promising, it is still very early days and we look forward to further research that will demonstrate the impact it might have for people with muscular dystrophy."
