A drug has been found that protects against atherosclerosis

Anna Kerman, XX2 century, based on Medical Xpress: Drug 'melts away' fat inside arteries

The new drug, which is successfully undergoing clinical trials as a treatment for breast cancer and diabetes mellitus, has proved effective against atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of fats in the arteries. Over time, atherosclerotic plaques can grow so much that blood will stop flowing to vital organs in sufficient quantities. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen conducted preclinical trials using model animals – mice. The work showed that a single administration of Trodusquemine (Trodusquemine), as the new drug is called, leads to a decrease in the severity of signs of atherosclerosis.

In preclinical trials, scientists used mice that had a specially induced disease that mimics human atherosclerosis. Animals that were regularly (or at least once) injected with trodusquemine differed from mice from the control group by a relatively smaller number of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries.

The principle of operation of the new drug is the inhibition of the PTP1B enzyme, the concentration of which is usually increased in people suffering from obesity and diabetes. An increase in the amount of this enzyme in the body is also observed in patients with prolonged inflammatory processes, for example, in patients with trophic ulcers on a diabetic foot or in those whose allergic diseases have caused inflammation of the respiratory organs. Scientists have found that trodusquemine also stimulates the activity of another enzyme, AMPK, which reduces chronic inflammation.

The effectiveness of the new drug as a treatment for diabetes mellitus and breast cancer has already been demonstrated earlier. As part of the study in question, scientists were able to show for the first time that trodusquemine can also be useful for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular disease.

Professor Mirela Delibegovic and Dr. Dawn Thompson, who led the study, say: "Atherosclerosis is present in all people to one degree or another. As you age, you accumulate fat deposits inside your arteries. This is a big problem for those who suffer from obesity or concomitant cardiovascular diseases.

So far, trodusquemine has been tested only at the preclinical level, on mice, but the results have been impressive. The study showed that just one dose of the drug completely stops the development of symptoms of atherosclerosis. The next step will be to study the effectiveness of the new drug in the treatment of people with severe atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases."

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Deputy Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, adds: "Trodusquemine is at an early stage of clinical trials as a remedy for diabetes. A new study has shown that the drug can also limit the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in mice. If we see the same effectiveness in human trials of the new drug, it may be that trodusquemine is even more useful than we had hoped."

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