April 9, 2003 (San Diego, CA) -- In industrialized countries insulin resistance/diabetes have become major public health concerns because of their epidemic growth and their association with major cardiovascular risk factors that are responsible for excess morbidity and mortality. In 1999, Americans had a six percent increase in new patients with Type 2 diabetes; growing obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles are also taking their toll across the Atlantic where Type 2 diabetes currently afflicts 22.5 million Europeans -- a staggering five percent of the population -- with another six million cases expected by 2025.

Researchers are looking for underlying mechanisms and new ways to combat this epidemic. Over the past decade, evidence has accumulated indicating that nitric oxide (NO) may play a key role in the control of metabolic and cardiovascular homeostasis, as evidenced by mice lacking the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) that are insulin resistant and hypertensive. An animal study now finds that stimulating NO bioavailability by lipid lowering statins may represent a new way to combat this epidemic.

Statins are a group of compounds that have been used successfully to lower cholesterol and prevent myocardial infarction. A less well known effect of statins is that they augment NO bioavailability in circulation. Abnormalities in the body's production of NO have been implicated in high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), diabetes, impotence, and stroke.

One statin is the prescription drug Simvastatin, used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in the blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of the arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats ma
'"/>

Contact: Donna Krupa
djkrupa1@aol.com
703-967-2751
American Physiological Society
9-Apr-2003

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Landmark agreement between Samoa and UC Berkeley could help search for AIDS cure
2. Circulation of disaster myths in Haiti could hinder appropriate disposal of bodies
3. New study indicates arsenic could be suitable as first-line treatment in type of leukaemia
4. Marijuana use could cause tubal pregnancies
5. Gene chips research in cotton could lead to superior variety
6. Groundbreaking research could ignite new solutions to heat transfer in nano-devices
7. Bullish chemical could repel yellow fever mosquitoes
8. Termites could hold the key to self-sufficient buildings
9. Wastewater could treat itself, power city
10. Sugar-coated sea urchin eggs could have sweet implications for human fertility
11. Identifying tick genes could halt disease, bioterrorism threat