There is a new study which indicates that a specific category of carbohydrate could have an essential role in improving the humans’ blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. If that is true, it means that blood pressure medicine can be enhanced to help people better. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, appeared in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Cardiovascular diseases – a consequence of fluctuating blood pressure
Lasse Holst Hansen, a Ph.D. student, discovered a specific type of carbohydrate on a particular protein hormone in the human body. Carrying out experiments on lab rats, together with other researchers from the two institutions, Hansen realized that the protein hormone that has that specific type of sugar (carbohydrate) could improve blood pressure conditions. “It may be an excellent bet for a modern way to treat hypertension without side effects, such as syncope,” declared Jens Peter Gøtze, professor at Rigshospilatet.
Hypertension and hypotension are conditions that affect the human body and can lead to cardiovascular diseases, but not only. Untreated, they can cause a loss of vision, kidney diseases, dehydration, shock, etc.
In Denmark, one in five people suffers from high blood pressure, and one in four dies because of complications. All over the world, more than 50% of the hypertensive people are unaware of their condition, and this leads to their death.
When carbohydrates and proteins join hands
Glycosylation is the result of carbohydrates attaching proteins to command the action and balance of proteins. The research explains the method the carbohydrate decorates the ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), a protein produced by the heart to help the flow of the blood in the body. If the two work together, there are signs of changes in the pressure of the blood, but if the sugar does not attach to a protein, the peptide hormone acts differently.
Researchers plan to explore the new information further to find out whether this peculiarity happens to all people or to those that are more likely to suffer from a cardiovascular affliction.
