Medical Bulletin 3/February/2023

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Does poorer blood sugar control cause a reduced capacity to lose heat in people with type 2 diabetes?

Poor blood sugar control could be associated with higher core body temperature and increased heart rate for physically active men with type 2 diabetes. The research published in Experimental Physiology found that while a common marker of long-term blood sugar control, haemoglobin A1c (also called glycated haemoglobin), was not associated with differences in the amount of heat lost from the body, heart rate rose by six beats per minute and core body temperature increased by 0.2°C with each percentage point rise in haemoglobin A1c (from 5.1% to 9.1%) in men with type 2 diabetes during cycling in a heated chamber.

People with type 2 diabetes can have a reduced ability to lose heat, which can heighten their risk of developing a heat-related injury during a heat stress. However, the cause of the reduced capacity to dissipate heat is not well understood. This health issue is becoming more relevant as countries around the globe experience more frequent and enduring temperature extremes as well as hotter average summer temperatures, such as the global heat waves of 2022.

Reference:

Is poorer blood sugar control associated with a reduced capacity to lose heat during exercise in hot conditions for people with type 2 diabetes?; Experimental Physiology, DOI: 10.1113/EP090915.

Combined steroid and statin treatment could reduce ‘accelerated ageing’ in preterm babies, study in rats suggests

Combined steroid and statin treatment could reduce 'accelerated ageing' in preterm babies, study in rats suggests, potentially life-saving steroids commonly given to preterm babies also increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular problems, but a new study in rats has found that if given in conjunction with statins, their positive effects remain while the potential negative side-effects are 'weeded out'.

Cambridge scientists gave new-born rats, which are naturally born prematurely, combined glucocorticoid steroids and statin therapy. The results, published in Hypertension, show that the combined treatment led to the elimination of negative effects of steroids on the cardiovascular system while retaining their positive effects on the developing respiratory system.

Reference:

Combined steroid and statin treatment could reduce ‘accelerated ageing’ in preterm babies, study in rats suggests; Hypertension, DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19647

Pregnancy complications linked to long-term increased heart disease risk

Women who experience any of five major pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth and pre-eclampsia, show an increased risk of ischemic heart disease up to 46 years after delivery, finds a study from Sweden published by The BMJ.

The researchers say all major adverse pregnancy outcomes should be recognised as lifelong risk factors for ischemic heart disease and women should be offered appropriate care to help prevent its development.

Heart disease is a serious condition where the blood vessels supplying the heart are narrowed or blocked and is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.

Reference:

Pregnancy complications linked to long-term increased heart disease risk; The BMJ, DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072112