People with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and early death due to a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up inside the arteries.
However, until now, the exact reasons for this increased risk were not fully understood.
A new study led by researchers at Lund University Diabetes Centre in Sweden sheds light on how atherosclerosis develops differently in people with Type 2 diabetes compared to those without the condition.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that people with diabetes may need new treatments that specifically target the unique changes in their arteries.
The research was conducted by cardiologists Dr. Andreas Edsfeldt and Professor Isabel Gonçalves, who see many diabetes patients with heart disease at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö. Diabetes is a growing global health issue, affecting about 537 million people worldwide.
In Sweden alone, approximately 600,000 people have diabetes, with Type 2 diabetes making up 85–90% of cases.
Dr. Edsfeldt explained the motivation behind the study: “Since people with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks, we set more ambitious treatment goals for them.
Currently, treatments focus on general risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle changes. But our findings suggest that new treatments targeting specific molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis may be necessary.”
To better understand the problem, the research team analyzed atherosclerotic plaques from 219 people with heart disease.
Of these, 72 had Type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty substances, cells, calcium, and connective tissue accumulate in the arteries, forming plaques that can lead to blockages, strokes, or heart attacks.
The study found that plaques from people with Type 2 diabetes contained lower amounts of protective connective tissue compared to those from people without diabetes. The researchers identified a key reason for this: a deficiency of a growth factor called TGF-beta2, which plays a role in maintaining plaque stability.
Additionally, they discovered that high blood sugar levels were linked to a reduced ability to form protective connective tissue in plaques. This means that poorly controlled blood sugar may weaken the structure of atherosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications over time.
“High blood glucose was associated with lower levels of protective proteins in plaques, leading to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes,” Dr. Edsfeldt explained. “This suggests that keeping blood sugar levels under control is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risks in people with diabetes.”
Future Treatments for Diabetes and Heart Disease
The researchers now plan to explore how this knowledge can be used to develop new treatments for people with Type 2 diabetes. One possibility is designing drugs that boost the levels of protective proteins in plaques or stabilize the plaque structure to prevent dangerous ruptures.
“Our hope is that this research will lead to targeted treatments for people with diabetes to lower their risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said Professor Gonçalves. “We may be able to develop medications that increase protective proteins or help stabilize plaques before they cause harm.”
This study highlights the need for more specialized treatment strategies for people with Type 2 diabetes, beyond traditional approaches like managing cholesterol and blood pressure.
By understanding the specific ways in which diabetes affects the arteries, scientists hope to create new therapies that directly address these risks and improve long-term heart health for millions of people.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Nature Communications.
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