An exciting advance in research regarding heart disease has been reported. Scientists in Seattle have managed to successfully use human stem cells to repair damaged muscle tissue in the heart of monkeys.

Using monkeys known as pigtail macaques, researchers anesthetized them, then induced a heart attack before injecting them with stem cells from human embryos. Cells from the monkey’s heart were then able to incorporate the stem cells into the heart, form blood vessels and establish renewed function.

Dr. Charles Murray, of the University of Washington, led the team that conducted these experiments. He is thrilled with the results. Having garnered similar success in smaller animals such as guinea pigs and rats, he is optimistic about this replication of results in an animal much more closely related to humans. Their ultimate goal is to be able to repair human hearts damaged by heart disease and restore them to normal levels of functioning.

“Before this study, it was not known if it is possible to produce sufficient numbers of these cells and successfully use them to remuscularize damaged hearts in a large animal whose heart size and physiology is similar to that of the human heart,” Murray said.

There is still much work to be done before testing can advance to human trials. While some monkeys develop normal heartbeats following the procedure, others appear to develop irregular rhythms that are seen as troublesome. There are also unknowns surrounding whether or not the heart’s ability to pump blood is fully restored. This latter function is essential to successful transplants because the lack of blood flow is a major contributor to heart failure.

Despite the questions left to answer, Murray and his team are certain that their success is an important step in combating heart disease, which is currently the world’s most prevalent cause of death. He hopes to be able to start human trials in as little as four years.