Steroids could be 'fountain of youth' for heart

Biologists from Leeds University have identified a previously-unknown channel in human blood vessels that can limit the production of proteins that drive the early stages of heart disease.

They found that this protective effect can be triggered by the molecule pregnenolone sulphate – part of a family of "fountain-of-youth" steroids so-called because of their apparent ability to improve energy, vision and memory.

Crucially, collaborative studies with surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary show the defence mechanism can be switched on in diseased blood vessels as well as in healthy vessels.

"Fountain of youth" steroids are made naturally in the body, but levels decline rapidly with age. This has led to a market in health supplements of synthetically-made steroids such as pregnenolone and DHEA. Pregnenolone sulphate is in the same family of steroids but it is not sold as a health supplement.

Prof David Beech, who led the study, said: "The effect that we have seen is really quite exciting and also unexpected.

"However, we are absolutely not endorsing any claims made by manufacturers of any health supplements. Evidence from human trials is needed first."

A chemical profiling study indicated that the effect was not as strong when cholesterol was present. This suggests that the expected benefits will be much greater if they are used in combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs or other healthy lifestyle strategies.