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When hyperactive, chemoreceptor cells near the carotid artery are strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Oxygen treatment decreased activity but failed to improve metabolic function in patients with diabetes.
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri is studying therapies that target specific cells associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including high blood pressure e type 2 diabetes.
His most recent, published in August in The Journal of Physiologyfocuses on a set of chemoreceptor cells located near the carotid artery in the neck.
These cells, when overactive, are strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Since these chemoreceptors detect oxygen levels in the body, researchers are exploring whether the adjusting oxygen levels may influence chemoreceptor activity, potentially improving cardiovascular and metabolic health.
“There are exciting studies in mice that show that removing these chemoreceptors when they become hyperactive can improve problems such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar,” he said. Jacqueline Limbergresearcher at the University of Missouri and first author of the study, at the university.
“Before we consider removing them completely We are patient, we theorize that high doses of oxygen can reduce or ‘shut down’ the activity of chemoreceptors, thereby improving health outcomes,” adds Limberg.
37 people participated in the study, divided into two groups; 17 people had type 2 diabetes, and the control group looked at 20 people without diabetes.
The study authors found that peripheral chemoreceptors were in fact hyperactive in adults with diabeteswith the highest level of activity associated with patients with higher levels of blood sugar.
After entering in hyperoxia — state in which a person is exposed to high levels of oxygen — the activity of chemoreceptors decreasedalong with heart rate, blood pressure and the number of breaths per minute.
The effect, however, did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore, there was no impact on glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity.
“The objective of this study was to understand how peripheral chemoreceptors affect cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of type 2 diabetes,” he said. Camila Manrique-Acevedoprofessor of medicine and co-author of the study.
“We now understand that a session of hyperoxia does not improve the function immediately. This information allows us to focus our attention on other therapies that show promise for patients with type 2 diabetes,” concludes the researcher.
