Excess cholesterol is known to create artery-clogging plaques, which can lead to strokes, arterial disease, heart attacks, and more. This issue has become a central focus of many heart health campaigns. As a result, there has been significant progress in developing cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins and promoting lifestyle changes such as improved diets and exercise.
However, new research suggests that the problem may extend beyond just cholesterol.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered that another class of lipids, known as sphingolipids, also plays a role in the formation of arterial plaques and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In a longitudinal study involving mice fed high-fat diets without added cholesterol, researchers tracked how these fats moved through the body. They found that the progression of ASCVD, triggered by high trans fat intake, was driven by the incorporation of trans fats into ceramides and other sphingolipids.
This revelation highlights the contribution of sphingolipids to atherosclerotic plaque formation, adding another dimension to our understanding of cardiovascular disease beyond cholesterol alone.
The findings were published in Cell Metabolism on November 14, 2024. They open new possibilities for potential drug targets aimed at addressing cardiovascular diseases and related health issues such as strokes and heart attacks.
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