Scientists have finally discovered why high blood pressure and diabetes often appear together in patients.
This long-standing mystery has been solved by an international team of researchers led by the University of Bristol in the UK and the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
The team found that a small protein called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) connects the body’s control of blood sugar and blood pressure. This discovery could lead to new ways of treating both conditions at the same time.
GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut after we eat. It is already known to help the pancreas release insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. But what scientists didn’t know until now is that GLP-1 also affects a small organ in the neck called the carotid body.
The carotid body helps regulate breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Researchers found that GLP-1 receptors—special structures that respond to GLP-1—are located in the carotid body. However, these receptors were found in lower numbers in rats with high blood pressure.
Using advanced genetic techniques, the University of Bristol team studied gene activity in the carotid body of rats.
To their surprise, they found strong evidence that GLP-1 plays a major role in this small but important organ. Professor Julian Paton from the University of Auckland called the discovery “very exciting” and said it opens the door to new treatments.
The researchers now believe that GLP-1 acts on the carotid body to control both blood sugar and blood pressure at the same time.
This process is managed by the nervous system, which listens to signals from the carotid body and adjusts the body’s functions accordingly.
This is a major step forward because people with diabetes and high blood pressure face a much higher risk of serious heart problems. Even when taking medication, many patients are still at risk because most treatments focus only on the symptoms, not the root causes.
Professor Rod Jackson, an expert from the University of Auckland, said the findings could change how we treat people with both conditions. Since GLP-1 drugs are already approved and commonly used for diabetes, this new discovery might help doctors use them more effectively to also manage blood pressure.
Audrys Pauža, a PhD student and lead author of the study, added that these findings are urgent because both diabetes and high blood pressure are becoming more common around the world. The team now plans to test the results in human studies to improve treatment options for patients most at risk.
This research also uncovered other possible targets in the body that could lead to new drugs in the future. The team believes that this is just the beginning of a new wave of treatments that address the root causes of both diabetes and high blood pressure at the same time.
The study was published in the journal Circulation Research.
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