Shrinking old hearts

Boston researchers have discovered a blood-borne protein, growth differentiation factor 11 , that can reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy in mice.¹ The protein could be used as a therapeutic agent once its long-term effects are understood.

Cardiac hypertrophy, the pathological enlargement of one or more ventricles, can occur in old age or in response to chronic hypertension and myocardial infarction (MI). Chronically enlarged hearts develop fibrosis and eventually fail...