As we grow older, our bodies naturally go through changes, and one of the most serious ones is the aging of our blood vessels.
Over time, blood vessels can become stiff and not work as well. This makes it harder for blood to flow smoothly, which can lead to heart problems. In fact, heart disease is one of the top causes of death in older people.
Doctors often use exercise, blood pressure pills, and cholesterol-lowering drugs to protect heart health. But scientists are always looking for new ways to help older adults keep their blood vessels strong and healthy.
A new study published in the journal GeroScience has taken a fresh look at an existing drug called Empagliflozin, or Empa for short. This medicine is usually given to people with type 2 diabetes to help lower their blood sugar. But researchers wanted to find out if Empa could also help improve the health of aging blood vessels.
First, the scientists compared the blood vessels of two groups of people. One group included young adults around 25 years old. The other group was older adults around 61 years old. As expected, the older group had stiffer arteries and more problems with the lining inside their blood vessels. This is a common sign of aging blood vessels.
The main part of the study was done using older male mice. These mice were about 72 weeks old, which is considered old in mouse years. The researchers divided the mice into two groups. One group ate regular food.
The other group was given food that contained Empa. After six weeks, the mice that took Empa had healthier blood vessels. Their arteries were less stiff, and their blood vessels worked better overall compared to the mice that didn’t take the drug.
So how does Empa help? Empa works by blocking a protein in the kidneys called SGLT2. Normally, this protein helps the body reabsorb sugar back into the blood. By blocking it, Empa helps lower blood sugar. This study is the first to show that this same process might also help slow down or improve the aging of blood vessels.
These findings are still new and have only been tested in mice. But the results are exciting because they show a new possible use for a drug that’s already being used for diabetes. If future research on people confirms these results, Empa could become part of a new strategy to keep blood vessels healthy as we age.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and a VA Merit Grant, which shows that this research is being taken seriously. The researchers also reported no conflicts of interest, which means the findings are more trustworthy.
In the future, Empa might not only help with blood sugar but also with aging-related problems in our blood vessels. This could be a big step forward in helping people live healthier lives as they grow older.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
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