Researchers Explore Oxygen Therapy to Combat Diabetes and Cardiovascular Issues

Researchers at the University of Missouri found that higher oxygen levels can reduce overactivity in chemoreceptor cells linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in diabetes patients.

Researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring groundbreaking treatments targeting specific cell types linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Chemoreceptor Cells and Their Role

Their recent focus is on chemoreceptor cells located near the carotid artery in the neck.

When these cells become overly active, they can signal various cardiovascular problems and an increased risk of mortality.

Because these chemoreceptors play a crucial role in sensing oxygen levels in the body, the research team hypothesized that manipulating oxygen concentrations could help manage their hyperactivity, ultimately influencing cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Research Findings

Lead author Jacqueline Limberg, an associate professor specializing in nutrition and exercise physiology, highlighted that prior animal studies conducted on rats suggested that dampening the activity of these overactive chemoreceptors could help alleviate hypertension and high blood sugar levels.

Rather than completely eliminating these cells, she proposed that delivering high doses of oxygen might effectively decrease their activity, potentially leading to better health outcomes.

In their investigation, the researchers studied two groups of individuals: 17 participants with type 2 diabetes and a control group comprising 20 individuals without the condition.

They found that those with diabetes exhibited increased activity in their peripheral chemoreceptors, particularly pronounced in individuals with the highest blood sugar levels.

Upon implementing hyperoxia—an environment with elevated oxygen levels—the researchers discovered that chemoreceptor activity decreased.

This decline led to reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

Interestingly, the results showed no significant differences between the two groups studied, and there was no immediate impact on glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity.

Study Implications

Co-author Camila Manrique-Acevedo, a professor of medicine, underscored the study’s purpose: to clarify how peripheral chemoreceptors influence the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of type 2 diabetes.

The team concluded that a single instance of increased oxygen levels doesn’t produce instant improvements in these functions, prompting them to explore other potential therapeutic avenues for individuals facing diabetes.

Source: ScienceDaily