Medical Bulletin 1/November/2025 - Video

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Global review links common viral infections to higher heart attack, stroke risk

Scientists have confirmed that several common viral infections significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease and stroke. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Heart Association synthesized data from 155 studies, demonstrating that viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles are linked to both short- and long-term elevated cardiovascular risks.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, traditionally attributed to factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet. However, this study highlights viral infections as important, often overlooked triggers, which induce systemic inflammation causing endothelial damage and increased blood clotting. These mechanisms can rupture atherosclerotic plaques, precipitating heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers conducted extensive literature searches across five scientific databases, including MEDLINE and Web of Science, identifying over 52,000 records published up to July 2024. Screening and quality assessment resulted in 155 relevant studies, which comprised cohort, case-control, and self-controlled case series (SCCS) designs. Data were pooled to calculate long-term risk ratios (RR) and acute incidence rate ratios (IRR) for cardiovascular outcomes following viral infections, adjusting for demographic and lifestyle confounders.

Laboratory-confirmed influenza raised acute myocardial infarction risk fourfold and stroke risk fivefold within the first month of infection, peaking in the first week. COVID-19 was associated with a 74% higher long-term risk of coronary heart disease and 69% increased stroke risk; SCCS studies showed a 3.35-fold elevated risk of heart attack within 14 weeks. Chronic infections like HIV carried a 60% higher coronary heart disease risk and 89% increased heart failure risk. Hepatitis C and shingles also contributed to elevated cardiovascular complications, with stroke risk spiking shortly after shingles infection. Some viruses required further study due to limited evidence, while cytomegalovirus associations remained inconclusive.

Lead author Dr. Kosuke Kawai emphasized vaccination as a crucial preventive measure, noting influenza vaccines can reduce cardiovascular risk by one-third. This work urges integrating infection prevention into cardiovascular health strategies worldwide.

REFERENCE: Source: Kawai, K., Muhere, C. F., Lemos, E. V., & Francis, J. M. (2025). Viral Infections and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association. DOI – 10.1161/jaha.125.042670

Lower ketone levels and improved exercise capacity may aid diabetic ketoacidosis management: Study

Scientists at the University of Houston have revealed a promising new approach to managing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous complication affecting about 20-30% of diabetic patients globally. Their research, led by Assistant Professor Ravi K. Singh and published in EMBO Reports, focuses on the muscle-specific protein isoform MEF2Dα2, which plays a key role in regulating skeletal muscle metabolism of ketone bodies and exercise capacity.

DKA arises when ketone levels in the blood become excessively high, leading to toxicity. While ketones serve as an alternative energy source during low carbohydrate intake-such as in ketogenic diets-excessive accumulation can be life-threatening, particularly in diabetic patients. Singh’s team discovered that MEF2Dα2 influences how effectively skeletal muscles oxidize ketones, impacting both systemic ketone levels and exercise endurance.

Using advanced CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the researchers specifically disabled the MEF2Dα2 isoform in muscle tissue. They then measured the expression of enzymes involved in ketone metabolism and assessed physical exercise capacity in experimental models. Subjects lacking MEF2Dα2 exhibited reduced expression of ketone-metabolizing enzymes and impaired ability to utilize ketones during physical activity. Additionally, the team monitored ketone levels after consuming high-fat ketogenic diets and after exercise to evaluate metabolic effects.

Knockout of MEF2Dα2 led to reduced ketone utilization in muscles, causing elevated blood ketone concentrations post-exercise and after a ketogenic diet. These results establish that MEF2Dα2 is critical for maintaining optimal ketone oxidation in skeletal muscle, thus regulating systemic ketone balance and supporting exercise capacity. Singh suggests that targeting MEF2Dα2 function may enhance exercise tolerance and help manage dangerously high ketone levels in diabetic patients, potentially reducing DKA risk and improving clinical outcomes.

This innovative study opens avenues for therapies that optimize muscle ketone metabolism, offering new hope to millions at risk of ketoacidosis worldwide.

REFERENCE: Kumar, S., et al. (2025). The muscle specific MEF2Dα2 isoform promotes muscle ketolysis and running capacity in mice. EMBO Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s44319-025-00578-3

Daily kimchi intake linked to reduced BMI and belly fat, Study Finds

Scientists have found that moderate kimchi consumption may help reduce obesity risk, reaffirming the health benefits of Korea’s iconic fermented dish. A large-scale study of over 115,000 Korean adults, published as part of the Health Examinees (HEXA) Study, explored how eating kimchi relates to body weight and abdominal obesity, providing robust evidence for the probiotic power of this popular food.

Kimchi, made primarily from fermented cabbage or radish with spices like garlic and chili, contains lactic acid bacteria shown in lab studies to reduce fat accumulation and enhance metabolism. This study assessed dietary habits and health data of adults aged 40–69, using food frequency questionnaires and physical measurements like BMI and waist circumference to define obesity and abdominal obesity.

Researchers analyzed self-reported kimchi intake across varieties such as baechu (napa cabbage kimchi) and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥25 kg/m², with abdominal obesity characterized by waist circumference above 90 cm for men and 85 cm for women. Data collected between 2004 and 2013 were evaluated for associations between kimchi consumption and obesity prevalence, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results showed a J-shaped relationship: consuming 1–3 servings of kimchi daily was linked to lower obesity odds, while excessive intake offered no additional benefit and could be detrimental. Men eating 1–2 servings had 12.5% lower obesity odds, with 2–3 servings linked to a 10.7% reduction. Baechu kimchi intake was associated with a 10% decrease in overall and abdominal obesity in men. Kkakdugi consumption was linked to 8% lower abdominal obesity in men and 11% in women.

Researchers caution that as an observational study, the findings suggest an association rather than causation, calling for longitudinal studies to confirm kimchi’s effects. Nonetheless, these results endorse the traditional wisdom that moderate kimchi consumption can be part of a healthy, metabolism-supporting diet.

Lead investigator Dr. Sangah Shin commented that “a little kimchi a day may help manage weight, but balance is key.”

REFERENCE: Jung H et al. Association between kimchi consumption and obesity based on BMI and abdominal obesity in Korean adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the Health Examinees study. BMJ Open. 2024;14(2):e076650.