Researchers from Queen Mary, University of London and University of Surrey have identified a protein in blood vessels that is able to protect the body from substances that cause cardiovascular disease. The protein, called pregnane X receptor (PXR), has the ability to turn on different protective pathways within the blood vessels. It had previously been known to play a role in sorting waste products in the liver. The research team found PXR to be active in samples of human tissue and blood vessel cells in culture. When they introduced PXR activating drugs, the researchers observed an increase in metabolising and anti-oxidant enzyme pathways. “Since blood travels everywhere in the body, PXR has the potential to provide protection not just through its actions in the liver, but anywhere in the entire body. If we can work out how to manipulate PXR to turn on detoxification and antioxidant pathways in blood vessels, we may be a step closer to preventing our nation’s biggest killer,” Dr. David Bishop-Bailey, co-author of the study on the findings, said.