Research treats diabetes by killing “zombie” cells in blood vessels

Cells behaving like zombies may be the culprit behind metabolic imbalances that disrupt blood glucose control and ultimately worsen diabetes. This is what was revealed by a study published on Thursday (11/20) in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Research has linked aging of p16+ cells, which make up the wall of blood vessels, to the inability to properly function energy balances, ultimately generating an inflammatory chain reaction, reducing glucose tolerance.

How was the study conducted?

The study was conducted on mice that were fed a high-fat diet, and the results indicated a link between vascular aging and deteriorating metabolism. Greater weight gain has been identified in animals that have older, infirm cells.

By stimulating the cleansing of these dead cells, there was a reduction in inflammatory markers and sugar levels. In other words, according to the researchers, adult p16+ cells not only did their job, but also worked against their own metabolism.

To prove this, the study also used emaciated animals that received “zombie” endothelial cell transplants. This action raised blood glucose and elicited signs of resistance even in healthy organisms.

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Diabetes is a disease whose main feature is increased blood sugar levels. It is severe, silent most of the time, and can affect various organs of the body, such as: the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, if left untreated.

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Diabetes is caused by excess blood glucose, which is called hyperglycemia. This occurs as a result of a defect in the secretion or function of the hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas.

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The main function of insulin is to promote the entry of glucose into cells, so that the sugar is used for cellular activities. Insulin deficiency or malfunction leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood, the circulation of which in the body harms other organs in the body.

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One of the main causes of the disease is malnutrition. For example, poor diets based on processed and sugary foods can lead to diabetes. Moreover, lack of physical exercise also contributes to this

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Diabetes can be divided into three main types. Type 1, where the pancreas stops producing insulin, is the least common type and appears from birth. Type 1 carriers need daily insulin injections to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

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Type 2 diabetes is the most common disease. This occurs when the patient develops insulin resistance or produces insufficient amounts of the hormone. Treatment includes regular physical activity and diet monitoring

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Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women who generally have a family history of the disease. Insulin resistance occurs especially from the second trimester of pregnancy onwards, and can cause complications for the baby, such as deformity, prematurity, respiratory problems, and others.

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In addition to these, there are other ways of contracting the disease, although they are rare. Including: due to pancreatic diseases, genetic disorders, endocrine diseases, or the use of medications

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It is also common to use the term prediabetes, which refers to very high blood sugar, but not high enough to diagnose the disease.

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Diabetes symptoms can vary depending on the type. But in general, they are: extreme thirst, frequent urination, and itching in the body. Family history and obesity are risk factors

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Some other signs may also indicate the presence of the disease, such as bone spurs in the feet, insensitivity in the area, blurred vision, and the frequent presence of fungi and infections.

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The diagnosis is made after routine tests, such as a fasting blood glucose test, which measures the amount of glucose in the blood. Reference values are: less than 99 mg/dL (normal), between 100 and 125 mg/dL (pre-diabetes), higher than 126 mg/dL (diabetes)

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Whatever the type of disease, the main treatment is to control glucose levels. Maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise helps keep a healthy weight and blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control.

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When diabetes is not treated properly, blood sugar levels can remain high for a long time and cause serious problems for the patient. Some of the resulting complications are deafness, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, retinopathy and even depression.

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Impact on diabetes treatment

In the study, the researchers found that p16⁺ zombie cells release inflammatory molecules known as SASP. This set of signals alters tissue uptake of glucose and lipids. As a result, organs no longer metabolize nutrients efficiently.

The resulting inflammation creates a cascading effect in the body. Data have shown that affected tissues lose the ability to respond to glucose changes, which may harm patients with diabetes or prediabetes and may explain how metabolic risk increases with age.

In the final stage, the study tested the best way to eliminate old cells. Fisetin, an anti-aging agent, showed good responses and helped improve glucose levels in all animals that received it.

The researchers also tested fisetin in human tissue samples from obese adults, and observed a reduction in inflammatory markers after exposure to the drug. The study paves the way for clinical research to test the theory in humans.

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