Carbohydrates will help in the treatment of atherosclerosis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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It turns out that some carbohydrates can interfere with the formation of vascular plaques due to atherosclerosis, and also accelerate the resorption of existing deposits.
Everyone has long known that metabolic disorders can give impetus to the development of atherosclerosis. Inside the vascular tube, characteristic deposits form which eventually transform into atherosclerotic plaques: their composition is particles of cholesterol, proteins, calcium, immunocytes, etc. To prevent the formation of plaques, doctors are always recommended to adhere to a healthy diet - for example, sharply restrict the use of fatty foods and sweets , since sugar can provoke disorders from the pancreas and the endocrine system, which, in turn, accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.
But, as it turned out, not all sugar is equally harmful. Scientists representing the University of Bonn, found: this type of carbohydrates, like cyclodextrins, is able to prevent the appearance of atherosclerosis. Cyclodextrins are a product of enzymatic processing of starches. If we consider this carbohydrate chemically, then it has the form of a ring consisting of a molecular series of glucose familiar to us. Cyclodextrins are used everywhere: for cooking foods, cosmetics, and even in biotechnology. These carbohydrates are part of antifungal agents and refreshing aerosols.
Experts say: "Systematic injection of cyclodextrin allows almost half the diameter of existing vascular plaques, and also prevents the formation of new deposits." The first experiments, as usual, were conducted on rodents. Some of the rodents had a hereditary predisposition to atherosclerosis, and the other part used "unhealthy" food. On the basis of the experiment, it turned out that cyclodextrin softened cholesterol crystals, reduced the severity of the inflammatory process, and potentized the transport of cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver tissue. Under the influence of this substance, a specific LXR gene has also been activated, which improves the metabolism of fats in the body.
Despite the obvious advantages of carbohydrate, scientists are not yet rushing to introduce a new drug for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Cyclodextrins are on the list of permitted substances for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. However, a more thorough testing of carbohydrate is still necessary. In particular, it is necessary to calculate the probability of the emergence of adverse symptoms during treatment, as previously conducted experiments indirectly indicated the negative effect of substances on the auditory function. In addition, it is necessary to prove that the cyclodextrins do not complicate the work of the liver, and also to calculate the exact dosages and features of the use of carbohydrate preparations.
It is possible that in the near future the preparations with cyclodextrin will be actively used in the complex treatment of atherosclerotic disorders.
The information is published in the publication Science Translational Medicine.
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