Scientists reveal a new mechanism that increases atherosclerosis in mice

Thursday, November 5, 2009 - 06:56 in Health & Medicine

(PhysOrg.com) -- For all the good it does, a liver protein that senses and gets rid of drugs and pollutants from our body has a downside. For the first time, it has been shown that when it is chronically activated, the protein, called PXR, rejiggers how cholesterol is processed in the liver and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The work has direct clinical consequences to patients under long-term treatment of PXR-activating drugs, including several antibiotic and anti-cancer medications - and your daily latte.

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