When cholesterol levels in the blood rise too high, a condition known as hypercholesterolemia can develop, damaging arteries and threatening heart health. Researchers from the University of Barcelona and the University of Oregon have now unveiled a promising new therapy that helps control cholesterol levels and offers fresh possibilities for combating atherosclerosis, a disease linked to the buildup of fatty plaques in artery walls.

The team developed a method to block the activity of PCSK9, a protein that plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the bloodstream. Using specially designed molecules called polypurine hairpins (PPRH), the technique boosts the removal of cholesterol by cells and prevents it from accumulating in arteries, without the unwanted side effects often associated with statin medications.