Projects and Grants
Three major efforts are currently underway:
- Enhancing the ability of bone marrow progenitor cells to repair the inner lining (endothelium) of blood vessels. The theory is that the reversal of bone marrow insufficiency will prevent the progression of blood vessel disease.
- Using medication to enhance peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and high density lipoproteins (HDL or “good cholesterol”) to pump damaging fatty acids out of blood vessel lining cells and prevent their death by apoptosis.
- Following the progression and, more importantly, the regression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease using statin drugs, such as simvastatin (Zocor®) and atorvastatin (Lipitor®). As noted above, noninvasive and painless technology is used to image the blood vessels.