A new preclinical study suggests that LXA4, known for its ability to reduce inflammation, may be a promising treatment for heart disease caused by diabetes. The findings were published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.
Heart disease, including conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and heart failure, is a leading cause of death among people with diabetes. This trend contributes to a growing global health crisis.
Dr. Chengxue Helena Qin, the senior author from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), explained that chronic inflammation significantly contributes to heart issues in diabetic patients. This ongoing inflammation can cause lasting damage to the heart.
“Our research found that LXA4 can reduce inflammation and scar tissue formation by half in cases of diabetes-induced heart disease, as demonstrated in our animal models,” Dr. Qin stated.
With recent advancements in creating more effective forms of LXA4, the study highlights the potential for LXA4-based therapies to manage diabetic heart disease effectively.
Dr. Phillip Kantharidis, a Senior Research Fellow at Monash’s Department of Diabetes and a co-author of the study, noted that current treatments for heart inflammation in diabetic patients are similar to those used for other types of heart disease.
“This research opens the door to more targeted and effective treatment options for patients with diabetic heart disease when combined with their existing blood sugar management medications,” Kantharidis said.
Ting Fu, the first author and a PhD candidate at MIPS, reported that the team observed positive effects of LXA4 on the immune system within diabetic hearts.
“We found that LXA4 stimulates reparative macrophages—beneficial white blood cells—in the diabetic heart,” Fu explained.
“These macrophages help reduce scar tissue from chronic inflammation and improve overall heart function.”
The researchers are now working on developing a stable drug version of LXA4. They are also exploring its potential applications for other inflammatory diseases and looking into additional drug options to address various aspects of cardio-pulmonary conditions.
This project was a collaborative effort involving MIPS, Monash University’s Department of Diabetes, and University College Dublin.
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