21 December,2018 10:43 PM IST | New York | IANS
Representational Image
Researchers have discovered that metformin -- a drug commonly used to treat Type-2 diabetes -- might also be used to treat a specific form of heart failure known as preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), finds a new study.
In a mice study, published in the Journal of General Physiology, researchers showed that metformin relaxes a key heart muscle protein called titin, allowing the heart to properly fill with blood before pumping it around the body. This improves the animals' capacity for exercise.
"We, therefore, conclude that metformin is a potential therapy for patients with HFpEF," said Henk Granzier, Professor at the University of Arizona in the US.
"Because the drug is already approved and well tolerated in humans, using it to target titin stiffness presents a unique opportunity for immediate translation to the clinic," said Granzier.
ALSO READ
World Stroke Day 2024: Can standing for long periods raise risk of stroke?
High-intensity workouts more beneficial for weight loss in women, finds study
'Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity driving abdominal obesity in India'
Long-Covid like condition common after respiratory infections, finds study
Why young adults face a higher risk of stroke from lifestyle choices
HFpEF is more common in women and other risk factors include hypertension, old age, and obesity.
Unlike other forms of heart failure, however, there are currently no drugs available to treat HFpEF, according to the researchers.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
