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Heart failure and diabetes linked by protein

01/06/12

Recent research findings could explain how heart disease can lead to diabetes.

Researchers from Chiba University in Japan found that patients with heart failure activate a protein in their bodies called p53, which is known for fighting tumors but can cause inflammation in fat tissue, insulin resistance and weakening of the heart.

"Our findings clarify the reasons why the incidence of heart failure is high among diabetic patients, why the prevalence of insulin resistance is increased in heart failure patients and why treatment of insulin resistance improves the prognosis of heart failure patients," said study author Tohru Minamino. The research will be released in the January issue of Cell Metabolism.

Previous research done by the author of the study showed that build-up of p53 in the heart from stress or age could promote heart failure.

According to Minamino, discovering a method of blocking inflammation caused by p53 activation without compromising the protein's ability to fight tumors could lead to an anti-aging therapy that is not associated with an elevated cancer risk.

The uncertainty of treatment associated with both diabetes and heart failure my encourage Americans to explore their life insurance options to prepare for unexpected health expenses in the future.

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