Blocking microRNAs to Lower Cholesterol

Scientists working with Santaris Pharma, a biotech company based in Denmark, have successfully blocked a microRNA called miR-122 in monkeys. The microRNA regulates cholesterol levels, and when blocked in the monkeys resulted in a drop in cholesterol levels by as much as 40% in 23 days. None of the monkeys treated presented with significant harmful side effects.

This is the first successful experiment blocking microRNAs in primates, and demonstrates the feasibility of the therapy to treat disease. As miR-122 is also involoved in the replication of the hepatitis C virus in humans, this therapy is also being developed as a possible treatment for hepatitis C.

http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/326/2