A groundbreaking study by Monash University researchers has revealed that a natural fat molecule, lipoxin A4 (LXA4), could offer new hope for treating heart disease linked to diabetes. The study, published in Cardiovascular Diabetology, suggests that LXA4 could reduce inflammation and improve heart function in diabetic patients, addressing a critical issue in managing the disease.
Heart conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and heart failure are among the leading causes of death for individuals with diabetes, fueling a global health crisis. Chronic inflammation is a key contributor to these heart problems, progressively damaging the diabetic heart over time.
Dr. Chengxue Helena Qin, senior author of the study from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), highlighted the importance of controlling inflammation in diabetic heart disease. “Our research shows that LXA4 could reduce inflammation and scar tissue formation by up to 50%, specifically in heart disease induced by diabetes,” Dr. Qin explained. “With advances in developing more drug-like forms of LXA4, our findings suggest its potential as a promising treatment for diabetic heart disease.”
Currently, heart inflammation in diabetic patients is treated similarly to that in other heart disease patients. However, Dr. Phillip Kantharidis, Senior Research Fellow at MIPS’ Department of Diabetes, emphasized the potential for more targeted therapies. “This study opens up the possibility of more personalized and effective treatment options for diabetic heart disease, in conjunction with blood sugar management medications,” he said.
First author of the study, MIPS PhD candidate Ting Fu, elaborated on the mechanism of LXA4. The team observed that LXA4 stimulated reparative macrophages—white blood cells—within the diabetic heart. “These beneficial macrophages reduced scar tissue caused by chronic inflammation and helped improve heart function,” Fu explained.
The next step in the research is to develop a stable, drug-like version of LXA4. The team is also investigating the broader application of this molecule for other inflammatory diseases and exploring additional drug options to treat various cardio-pulmonary conditions.
This research is the result of a collaborative effort between MIPS, Monash University’s Department of Diabetes, and University College Dublin.
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