What is the problem?
Babies born to mothers with diabetes have a higher risk of developing congenital heart disease, which is a group of abnormalities in the structure or function of the heart. Some of these defects can be life-threatening and require surgery or even a heart transplant.
The most common type of congenital heart disease is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), which means that the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and cannot pump enough blood to the body. Almost one third of babies born with HLHS die from heart failure before their first birthday.
The exact cause of HLHS and other heart defects in babies born to mothers with diabetes is unknown, but previous studies have suggested that high blood sugar levels can interfere with the genes that regulate heart development.
The most common type of congenital heart disease is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), which means that the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and cannot pump enough blood to the body. Almost one third of babies born with HLHS die from heart failure before their first birthday.
The exact cause of HLHS and other heart defects in babies born to mothers with diabetes is unknown, but previous studies have suggested that high blood sugar levels can interfere with the genes that regulate heart development.
What did the researchers find?
The researchers collected skin cells from 10 HLHS patients and three healthy people, and turned them into stem cells, which can become any type of cell. Then, they added a mixture of growth factors and nutrients that made the stem cells develop into heart cells.
By observing the heart cells under a microscope, the researchers noticed clear differences among cells from different patient groups. Cells from patients with severe HLHS, who died or needed a transplant in their first year of life, had slower and weaker heartbeats than cells from patients with milder HLHS or healthy people.
By observing the heart cells under a microscope, the researchers noticed clear differences among cells from different patient groups. Cells from patients with severe HLHS, who died or needed a transplant in their first year of life, had slower and weaker heartbeats than cells from patients with milder HLHS or healthy people.
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The researchers also found that heart cells from both patient groups had defective mitochondria, which are the energy-generating centers of the cell, but this dysfunction was worse in the severe group. Moreover, heart cells from severe HLHS patients failed to activate natural defenses against stress caused by the mitochondrial defect.
The researchers also found that heart cells from both patient groups had defective mitochondria, which are the energy-generating centers of the cell, but this dysfunction was worse in the severe group. Moreover, heart cells from severe HLHS patients failed to activate natural defenses against stress caused by the mitochondrial defect.
What does this mean for treatment?
The researchers tested two commonly used medications, Viagra and an over-the-counter drug called tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), on the heart cells from patients with severe HLHS. They found that both drugs restored the mitochondrial function and improved the heartbeat of the cells.
This suggests that these drugs could potentially be used to prevent or treat heart failure in babies born with HLHS, but more studies are needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness in humans. The researchers also hope that their findings will help identify biomarkers that can predict the severity of HLHS and guide clinical decisions.
This suggests that these drugs could potentially be used to prevent or treat heart failure in babies born with HLHS, but more studies are needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness in humans. The researchers also hope that their findings will help identify biomarkers that can predict the severity of HLHS and guide clinical decisions.
What can you do to prevent diabetes and protect your baby’s heart?
If you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it, you should consult your doctor before planning a pregnancy. You should also follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, monitor your blood sugar levels, and take your prescribed medications to keep your diabetes under control.
If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you should have regular prenatal check-ups and screenings to detect any possible complications or abnormalities in your baby’s development. You should also avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs that can harm your baby’s health.
Diabetes can have serious consequences for your baby’s heart, but with proper care and management, you can reduce the risk and give your baby the best chance of a healthy life.
If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you should have regular prenatal check-ups and screenings to detect any possible complications or abnormalities in your baby’s development. You should also avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs that can harm your baby’s health.
Diabetes can have serious consequences for your baby’s heart, but with proper care and management, you can reduce the risk and give your baby the best chance of a healthy life.
Sources: sciencedaily.com | upmc.com | sciencedaily.com | nationwidechildrens.org