RESEARCHERS from Monash University have uncovered promising new insights into treating heart disease in diabetic patients.
A preclinical study published in Cardiovascular Diabetology revealed that a natural fat molecule, lipoxin A4 (LXA4), could significantly reduce inflammation and improve heart function in people with diabetes.
Diabetes-related heart conditions, such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks and heart failure, are leading causes of death for people with diabetes, contributing to a growing global health crisis.
Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of these conditions, damaging the heart over time.
Senior author Dr Chengxue Helena Qin, from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, explained that LXA4, which is known for its "calming" anti-inflammatory properties, could help mitigate this damage.
In preclinical animal models, and collaborating with University College Dublin, the team found that LXA4 reduced both inflammation and scar tissue formation in diabetic hearts by up to 50%.
"This discovery holds promise for developing new, targeted therapies for people with diabetic heart disease," Dr Qin said.
"With recent advances in making LXA4 more 'drug-like', our findings suggest that LXA4-based treatments could work alongside existing diabetes medications."
The research also showed that LXA4 helps stimulate reparative immune cells in the heart, which aids in reducing scar tissue and improving heart function. JG
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