Researchers at the University of Otago have discovered one of the reasons more than 50 percent of people with type 2 diabetes die from heart disease.
And perhaps more importantly, they have figured out how to deal with it.
Professor Rajesh Katare, from the Department of Psychology, says stem cells in the heart of diabetic patients are known to be blocked. While cell gas treatment has been effective in treating heart disease, it is not true in diabetic hearts.
It is not known why; so far.
It comes down to tiny molecules called microRNAs that control gene expression.
“Based on the results of laboratory tests, we identified the number of weak microRNAs in diabetic heart gas cells,” says Associate Professor Katare.
“Among several microRNAs we have reported that one specific microRNA called miR-30c – which is essential for the survival, growth and formation of new blood vessels – is reduced in the diabetic stem cells. These functions are needed all for gas stem therapy be successful in the heart.
“Importantly, we also confirmed that this microRNA is reduced in the stem cells collected from the heart material of patients undergoing heart surgery at Dunedin Hospital.”
Researchers were then able to increase the level of miR-30c contained in the heart with “simple injection”.
“As a result, there has been a dramatic improvement in the survival and growth of stem cells in the diabetic heart,” says Professional Professor Katare.
“This interesting finding has recently found that a weakening in the microRNAs is the root cause of the lack of stem cells in the diabetic heart. More importantly, the results have identified a modern treatment for activating cells in the heart using microRNA, without the need to inject cells, which is a time consuming and costly process. “
Professor Katare says the discovery is “important” and says it could help people with diabetes – who make up ten per cent of New Zealand’s – life longer and follow quality.
“In addition to identifying the reasons why malignant cells work in diabetic patients, the novel’s use of microRNA could change the treatment modality for heart disease. the diabetic individuals. “
Researchers now perform more laboratory experiments before moving on to humans.
“The first study revealed that we may have four other candidate microRNAs. Therefore, it is necessary to test the function of these microRNAs as well. Treatment may be mixed with more than one microRNA. increase benefits. “
Source:
Magazine Reference:
Purvis, N., et al. (2021) Diabetes promotes dysregulation of microRNAs associated with survival, proliferation and self-renewal in cardiac progenitor cells. Diabetologia. doi.org/10.1007/s00125-021-05405-7.