New cholesterol vaccine reduces 'bad' LDL levels in mice, monkeys: study

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A study recently published in the Vaccine journal revealed that breaking down a specific strain of proteins can help reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health in the United States and the University of New Mexico tested the vaccine on a group of macaque monkeys and mice.

In a press release on Elsevier, the researchers express hope the treatment could also be effective in humans.

According to Eurekalert, cholesterol is a substance that is naturally produced by the body. Cholesterol is needed to make vitamin D, hormones and elements that help the body digest food.

LDL is known as the bad form of cholesterol. An accumulation of this fatty substance can clog the arteries, resulting in stroke or heart disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a total of 73.5 million or a third of the population in the United States has a high level of bad cholesterol. Less than 50 percent of this population are seeking treatment to lower their levels.

Learn more about bad cholesterol by watching this video.

With this study, researchers were attempting to prevent the PCSK9 from functioning. The Telegraph says this specific protein stops the body from getting rid of the cholesterol.

The new vaccine removes this protein, allowing the body to get rid of more cholesterol.

Dr. Bryce Chackerian, a researcher from the University of New Mexico said during the press release, "One of the most exciting things about this new vaccine is it seems to be much more effective than statins alone."

"Statins are still the most commonly prescribed medication for cholesterol. Although they are effective in many people, do have side effects and don't work for everyone," Dr.Alan Remaley further explained.

Dr. Remaley is one of the researchers from the National Institutes of Health. He believes that the vaccine can be used as a new alternative way of treating high levels of bad cholesterol.

Alirocumab and Evolocumab are also designed to target the PCSK9 protein and help lower cholesterol levels. However, doctors are only allowed to prescribe these drugs to patients who have specific forms of heart disease says United Press International.

These two FDA-approved drugs are more effective than statins but are also more expensive. The UPI report indicates that treatment may cost anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000 a year for each patient.

Researchers from both institutions believe that treatment using the PCSK9 vaccine would be cheaper and safer than statins or the two recently-approved drugs. They plan to conduct more studies using macaques and eventually, with human volunteers.