"Cardiac stem cell http_ga.... infusions could someday help reverse the aging process in the human heart making older ones behave younger according to a new study httpsacademic.oup.comeurheartjarticlelookupdoi.eurheartjehx from the CedarsSinai Heart Institute http  Our previous lab studies and human clinical trials have shown promise in treating heart failure using cardiac stem cell infusions http said Eduardo Marbn MD PhD httpbio.csmc.eduviewEduardoMarban.aspx_ga.... director of the CedarsSinai Heart Institute and the primary investigator of the study. Now we find that these specialized stem cells could turn out to reverse problems associated with aging of the heart.  The study was published today by the European Heart Journal.  In the study investigators injected cardiospherederived cells a specific type of stem cell from newborn laboratory rats into the hearts of rats with an average age of  months which is considered aged. Other laboratory rats from the same age group were assigned to receive placebo treatment saline injections instead of stem cells. Both groups of aged rats were compared to a group of young rats with an average age of  months.  Baseline heart function was measured in all rats using echocardiograms treadmill stress tests and blood analysis. The group of older rats underwent an additional round of testing one month after receiving cardiospherederived cells that came from young rats.  The way the cells work to reverse aging is fascinating Marbn said. They secrete tiny vesicles that are chockfull of signaling molecules such as RNA and proteins. The vesicles from young cells appear to contain all the needed instructions to turn back the clock. Results of those tests show lab rats that received the cardiospherederived cells   Experienced improved heart function   Demonstrated longer heart cell telomeres compound structures located at the ends of chromosomes that shrink with age   Improved their exercise capacity by an average of approximately  percent   Regrew hair faster than rats that didnt receive the cells  This study didnt measure whether receiving the cardiospherederived cells extended lifespans so we have a lot more work to do said Lilian GrigorianShamagian MD PhD coprimary investigator and the first author of the study. We have much to study including whether CDCs need to come from a young donor to have the same rejuvenating effects and whether the extracellular vesicles are able to reproduce all the rejuvenating effects we detect with CDCs. Since Marbns team completed the worlds first cardiac stem cell infusion in  the CedarsSinai Heart Institute has made significant contributions to decoding and understanding how cardiac stem cells regenerate damaged heart muscle. The team is studying the use of stem cells to treat patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction a condition that affects more than  percent of all heart failure patients.  General support for Marbns laboratory is provided by the National Institutes of Health. The CDCs manufactured by Capricor Inc. NASDAQ CAPR as their product CAP have been used in other human clinical trials.  The process to grow cardiacderived stem cells was developed by Marbn when he was on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University and further developed at CedarsSinai. Capricor has licensed the process from Johns Hopkins and from CedarsSinai for clinical and commercial development. Capricor has licensed additional intellectual property from CedarsSinai and the University of Rome. CedarsSinai and Marbn have financial interests in Capricor.   About the CedarsSinai Heart Institute http  The CedarsSinai Heart Institute is internationally recognized for outstanding heart care built on decades of innovation and leading edge research. From cardiac imaging and advanced diagnostics to surgical repair of complex heart problems to the training of the heart specialists of tomorrow and research that is deepening medical knowledge and practice the CedarsSinai Heart Institute is known around the world for excellence and innovations. Image Credit CedarsSinai  EMBARGOED UNTIL AUG.   AT  A.M. EDT"