Scientists Create Vaccine To Reduce “Bad” Cholesterol by 30%

When blood cholesterol levels rise, this essential substance for hormone production and cell growth becomes antagonistic. Heart disease and stroke are caused by this “bad” cholesterol that clogs arteries, making the heart and brain work harder. Although this fat buddy is essential, maintaining control over it is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

The World Health Organization estimates that cardiovascular illnesses claim the lives of almost 18 million people worldwide each year. Researchers from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine may have made a significant contribution to the effort to solve this health epidemic. They have created a vaccine that shows great promise and has the potential to change the industry by providing an affordable way to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol. This kind of cholesterol is what causes the dangerous plaques that may block blood arteries to develop.

A team headed by Bryce Chackerian, PhD, Regents’ Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, recently reported in NPJ vaccinations that the vaccinations reduced LDL cholesterol almost as well as a pricy family of medications known as PCSK9 inhibitors.

“We are interested in trying to develop another approach that would be less expensive and more broadly applicable, not just in the United States but also in places that don’t have the resources to afford these very, very expensive therapies,” said Dr. Chackerian.

“So, your immune system makes a really strong antibody response against this protein that’s involved in controlling cholesterol levels,” he said. “In the animals that we vaccinated, we see strong reductions in cholesterol levels – up to 30% – and that is going to be correlated with reduced risk of heart disease.”

The vaccine has shown encouraging results in testing on mice and monkeys over the last ten years, according to an announcement from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. The next stage, according to Dr. Chackerian, is to get financing to begin producing vaccines and conducting human clinical studies. Creating a vaccination that is pure, safe, and reasonably priced may require years of work and several million dollars, but the effort is worthwhile.