Discovery could block blood clots

A bunch of platelets







http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7833978.stm

Scientists have discovered a protein called PKC Alpha that plays an important role in the ability of platelets to form clots. When an artery is damaged for some reason, platelets will clot together and form a protective sheath over the damaged site allowing for protein to heal. Sometimes excessive damage or plaque buildup can cause clotting to occur and block an already constricted vessel. This can lead to heart attach or stroke.

Initial research shows that by inhibiting or removing this protein, platelets cannot form blood clots. However, the removal of this protein doesn't appear to affect normal bleeding. This is very advantageous because under normal anti-clotting medication, the ability of clotting to stop bleeding is affected. Asprin and other current drugs on the market typically result in patients that have excessive bleeding.

This is really interesting because it kind of makes you wonder why the PKC alpha protein only affects internal blood clotting and appears to have no effect on external clotting. Furthermore, does the inhibiting of this protein have any other effects on the body will have to be looked into, and if it does it may be necessary to create a drug that only binds to the PKC alpha in platelets. This is a very difficult task to selectively inhibit something in one part of the body and not elsewhere.