Study identifies potential new target for treating atherosclerosis

Researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have discovered a potential new target for treating atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, identified a cellular signaling pathway in fat cells, or adipocytes, that may play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis.

By blocking this signaling pathway, specifically in adipocytes, the researchers found that the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and inflammation in blood vessels was significantly reduced. The lead author of the study, Dr. Bruno Goncalves, emphasized that this discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating vascular disease, particularly in individuals with obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

The research, conducted using Apoe knockout mice fed a Western diet, found that inhibiting Na/K-ATPase signaling in adipocytes had a direct impact on atherosclerotic plaque formation, vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction. The findings underscore the significant role of adipose tissue in cardiovascular disease and suggest that targeting adipocyte signaling pathways could offer a new avenue for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.