Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death around the world, responsible for nearly 25% of all deaths in the United States alone. One of the most dangerous types is coronary artery disease.
This condition happens when plaque—a sticky mix of fat, cholesterol, and other substances—builds up inside the arteries. Over time, this buildup narrows the arteries, making it hard for blood to flow properly. If left untreated, it can lead to heart attacks or strokes, which are often life-threatening.
Scientists have been trying to understand why plaque forms in the arteries and how to stop it. A new discovery by researchers at the University of Virginia Health might bring us one step closer to finding a solution. Their study reveals surprising information about the cells inside blood vessels and how they might contribute to heart disease.
Inside our arteries, there is a lining of cells called smooth muscle cells. These cells are important because they help keep blood vessels strong and flexible. In healthy arteries, smooth muscle cells form a protective layer over plaque, stopping it from breaking off and causing dangerous blockages.
But strangely, in some cases, these very same cells start behaving differently. Instead of protecting the arteries, they seem to help plaque grow, making heart disease worse. This unexpected change in behavior has puzzled scientists for years.
To solve this mystery, a team led by Dr. Mete Civelek and his student, Noah Perry, began studying smooth muscle cells taken from heart transplant donors. They wanted to understand what triggers these cells to switch from protecting the arteries to contributing to plaque buildup.
Their research focused on how these cells process two main things: nitrogen and glycogen. Glycogen is a type of sugar that the body stores for energy. Normally, smooth muscle cells use glycogen properly to stay healthy.
But the study found that when there is a problem with how these cells process glycogen and nitrogen, it can cause them to act differently. Instead of strengthening the blood vessels, they actually start to make things worse.
One particular sugar, called mannose, caught the researchers’ attention. Mannose is not very well-known, but the study suggests it might play a role in this harmful transformation of smooth muscle cells. Although more research is needed to confirm this, the team believes that understanding mannose’s role could lead to new ways to prevent plaque buildup.
This discovery is important because it helps explain why current heart disease treatments are not always enough. While medicines like cholesterol-lowering drugs and blood pressure treatments help reduce risks, they do not fully prevent plaque from building up.
Dr. Civelek and his team hope that their findings will lead to better treatments that target these changes in smooth muscle cells. If doctors can stop this harmful switch from happening, it might prevent arteries from becoming blocked in the first place.
The research team, which includes Perry, Diana Albarracin, and Redouane Aherrahrou, is continuing its work to learn more about this process. They believe that finding out exactly why smooth muscle cells change their behavior could lead to breakthrough treatments for millions of people suffering from heart disease.
While scientists continue their research, there are steps you can take now to lower your risk of heart disease. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress are known to help protect your heart.
Some studies also suggest that vitamins like Vitamin D and Vitamin K can be helpful. Vitamin D may reduce inflammation, while Vitamin K could lower heart disease risk by as much as one-third.
The findings from this study were published in the journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine. With further research, this new understanding of how smooth muscle cells behave might lead to life-saving treatments that could stop heart disease before it becomes deadly.
This breakthrough not only sheds light on why arteries become clogged but also opens the door to new possibilities for prevention and recovery.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about A heart-healthy diet guide for seniors and results showing that Vegan diet may reverse heart disease naturally.
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