Adrenal gland gene therapy cuts HF risk.(heart failure)(Brief article)

Using gene therapy to reduce the adrenal gland's output of fight or flight hormones could protect against heart failure, US research suggests.

The findings offer a strategy to treat heart failure and help to explain why sympatholytic agents have been unsuccessful in protecting against heart failure.

Currently, beta-blockers are used to inhibit the beta-adrenergic receptors on the heart, blocking the catecholamines that force the heart to work too hard, leading to heart failure.

However, beta-blockers do not reduce the levels of catecholamine produced by the adrenal gland.

By targeting the adrenal gland, the researchers found that they …