Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Altered Atherosclerosis Mechanisms
Diabetes may Weaken Arteries, Increasing Stroke and Heart Attack Risk
New research sheds light on why people with type 2 diabetes are more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.
Millions of Americans live with type 2 diabetes, a condition that considerably increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. While the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease is well-established, the underlying reasons have remained unclear. Now, a groundbreaking study from Lund University in Sweden offers crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms driving this heightened risk.
The research team, led by cardiologists Dr. andreas Edsfeldt and Dr. Isabel Gonçalves, analyzed atherosclerotic plaques – the fatty buildups that can clog arteries – from 219 individuals with cardiovascular disease, including 72 with type 2 diabetes. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal a critical difference: plaques from individuals with type 2 diabetes contained significantly lower levels of protective connective tissue.
“A stroke or heart attack often leads to reduced quality of life and,in the worst-case scenario,death,” says Dr. Edsfeldt. “Since we know that people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of being affected, we set particularly enterprising treatment goals for patients with atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.”
The researchers identified a lack of a specific growth factor called TGF-beta2 as a key contributor to this weakened plaque structure. they also discovered a concerning link between high blood sugar levels and a diminished ability to form protective connective tissue within the plaques, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
“High blood glucose levels were associated with lower levels of protective proteins in the atherosclerotic plaques, which increased the risk of cardiovascular complications over time,” explains Dr. Edsfeldt. “This finding suggests that it is vital for people with type 2 diabetes to keep their blood glucose levels under control to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and that poor glycemic control may reduce the body’s ability to produce protective proteins in the atherosclerotic plaques.”
This groundbreaking research opens new avenues for developing targeted treatments for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
“Our hope is that this knowledge will be used to develop tailored treatments for people with type 2 diabetes that reduce the risk of developing a stroke and heart attack,” says Dr.Gonçalves. “One possibility is to develop drugs that increase the level of protective proteins in the atherosclerotic plaques or a treatment that stabilises the plaque.”
The study was funded by several organizations, including the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, and the Crafoord Foundation.
Diabetes Weakening Arteries, Raising Stroke and Heart Attack Risk: An Interview with Dr. Andreas Edsfeldt
NewsDirectory3: Dr. edsfeldt, your recent study in Nature Communications shed light on why people with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Can you explain the key findings?
Dr. Andreas Edsfeldt: Our team at lund University examined atherosclerotic plaques – the fatty buildups in arteries - from individuals with and without type 2 diabetes. We discovered that plaques from those with diabetes had significantly lower levels of protective connective tissue. This weaker structure makes them more prone to rupture, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
NewsDirectory3: What specifically contributes to this weakened plaque structure in individuals with diabetes?
Dr. Edsfeldt: We identified a deficiency in a growth factor called TGF-beta2 as a major contributor.We also found a concerning link between high blood sugar and a reduced ability to form protective connective tissue within the plaques, further escalating the risk.
NewsDirectory3: What does this mean for people living with type 2 diabetes?
Dr. Edsfeldt: This emphasizes the importance of tight blood sugar control. Keeping glucose levels within a healthy range appears vital to ensuring the body can produce protective proteins in the plaques, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular complications.
NewsDirectory3: What are the next steps based on these findings?
Dr. Edsfeldt: We hope this opens doors for developing targeted therapies for individuals with type 2 diabetes. the goal is to find ways to either increase the level of these protective proteins in the plaques or stabilize the plaque itself, ultimately reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.