Inflammatory Cells Linked to Heart Disease and Diabetes

Inflammation contribute to hardening of the arteries ad interfere with insulin signaling. A U.S. study found certain cells in the obese are in an inflammatory state, providing more evidence inflammation is linked to heart disease and diabetes.

The findings indicate a blood screening could help determine a person’s risk of diabetes or heart problems.

In the study, researchers measured proinflammatory factors in blood samples from normal weight and obese people known to be at risk of diabetes and heart disease.

The obese had higher levels of mononuclear cells — types of immune system cells — in a proinflammatory state and lower levels of factors that inhibit inflammation.

The proinflammatory state of the cells could contribute to hardening of the arteries and interfere with insulin signaling, which could lead to diabetes.

A change in diet or medication or both may be required to help control the inflammation, the researchers said. They are conducting studies to determine whether such strategies adequately reduce the inflammation in obese people. Journal of Circulation, Sept. 21, 2004
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DID YOU KNOW: After pooling and re-analyzing the data from 13 previously published studies – involving nearly 10,000 people from North America and Europe with type I or type II diabetes – researchers concluded that for every 1 percent rise in A1c levels, there was an 18 percent increase in the risk of developing large-vessel cardiovascular disease among people with type II diabetes. For people with juvenile onset or type I diabetes, the researchers found a similar increased risk of 15 percent for every one percent rise in levels of glycated hemoglobin. Annals of Internal Medicine online Sept. 21