As people get older, their blood vessels naturally become stiffer and less efficient, which increases the risk of heart diseases. This process, known as vascular aging, is one of the main reasons why heart problems are so common in older adults.
While there are traditional treatments like exercise, blood pressure medications, and drugs to lower cholesterol, researchers are always searching for better ways to keep blood vessels healthy as people age.
A recent study published in the journal GeroScience has discovered that a diabetes drug called Empagliflozin (Empa) might help improve blood vessel health in older adults. Empa is usually used to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, but this new research shows it could also reduce the effects of aging on blood vessels.
To understand how Empa might help with vascular aging, researchers first looked at blood vessel health in two different age groups: young adults around 25 years old and older adults around 61 years old.
As expected, the older adults had stiffer blood vessels and poorer blood flow compared to the younger group. This stiffness makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and increases the risk of heart disease.
The main part of the study focused on older male mice that were about 72 weeks old, which is considered quite old for mice. The researchers divided the mice into two groups. One group received food mixed with Empa, while the other group ate regular food. This experiment lasted for six weeks.
At the end of the study, the mice that had been given Empa showed big improvements in their blood vessel health. Their arteries were less stiff, their blood vessels worked better, and they had other signs of improved circulation.
In contrast, the mice that did not receive Empa did not show these improvements. This suggests that Empa might help reverse some of the natural aging effects on blood vessels.
So how does Empa work? The drug belongs to a group of medications called SGLT2 inhibitors. Normally, when blood flows through the kidneys, a protein called SGLT2 helps the body reabsorb glucose (sugar) back into the bloodstream. Empa blocks this process, causing the body to remove excess sugar through urine. This helps lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
However, this study showed that blocking SGLT2 might also help with aging blood vessels. The researchers believe that reducing blood sugar levels and possibly lowering inflammation might make blood vessels more flexible and less stiff. This would help the heart work more efficiently and reduce the chances of heart disease.
Although these results are promising, it is important to note that the main part of the research was done on mice, not humans. The findings suggest that Empa could help with vascular health, but more research is needed to see if the same benefits happen in people.
Researchers are now planning bigger studies to understand if Empa could be a safe and effective way to improve blood vessel health in older adults.
The study was funded by respected organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and a VA Merit Grant, showing its importance in the field of aging and heart health. The researchers also reported no conflicts of interest, which adds to the credibility of the findings.
If further studies confirm these benefits in humans, Empa could become a valuable tool for protecting blood vessels as people age. This would be especially important for older adults who are at risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.
Along with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and existing medications, Empa might help people maintain better heart health as they grow older.
This research is just the beginning, but it opens the door to exciting possibilities for improving health and quality of life for older adults. If successful, Empa could join the list of important treatments aimed at keeping hearts and blood vessels strong and healthy throughout the aging process.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
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