New research from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggests the length of time a person lives with type 2 diabetes is a critical, and frequently enough overlooked, factor in their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study, published Friday in the journal Diabetes, indicates that changes within red blood cells accumulate over years and can impair blood vessel function, increasing the likelihood of heart attack and stroke-conditions responsible for roughly 17.9 million deaths globally each year, according to the World Health Association. Scientists are now investigating whether a specific molecule could serve as an early biomarker to identify and protect those most at risk.
Long-term type 2 diabetes can trigger subtle changes in the blood that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke, new research suggests. Understanding these changes could lead to earlier detection of complications and improved patient outcomes, as heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide.
A study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden reveals that the duration of type 2 diabetes plays a critical role in the development of these cardiovascular risks. The research, published Friday in the journal Diabetes, indicates that changes within red blood cells accumulate over years, ultimately impacting blood vessel function.
Previous observations had hinted at a connection between red blood cells and vascular function in individuals with diabetes. This new study builds on that knowledge, pinpointing disease duration as a key factor. The adverse effects on blood vessels weren’t immediately apparent after a diabetes diagnosis, but rather developed gradually over time.
Researchers analyzed both animal models and blood samples from patients with type 2 diabetes. They found that red blood cells taken from mice and patients with long-standing diabetes interfered with normal blood vessel function. In contrast, red blood cells from individuals recently diagnosed with the condition did not exhibit these effects. Follow-up evaluations of the same patients seven years later showed similar changes in their red blood cells, mirroring those seen in long-duration diabetes.
The study highlights the role of microRNA-210, a small RNA molecule involved in regulating cellular activity. Researchers discovered that levels of microRNA-210 were reduced in the red blood cells of patients with long-term diabetes. When microRNA-210 levels were experimentally restored in the red blood cells, blood vessel function improved.
“What is truly important in our study is that it’s not just the presence of type 2 diabetes that matters, but also the duration of the disease. It’s only after several years that red blood cells begin to have a detrimental effect on blood vessels,” said Zhichao Zhou, associate professor at the Department of Medicine, Solna, at the Karolinska Institute, and the study’s lead author, according to a news release.
The authors suggest that microRNA-210 levels in red blood cells could potentially serve as a biomarker – a biological indicator – to identify patients at increased risk of cardiovascular complications. This could allow for more targeted preventative measures.
Current research is focused on evaluating whether this marker can be used in larger, population-level studies.
“If we can identify patients at higher risk before vascular damage occurs, we will be able to more effectively prevent diabetes complications,” explained Eftychia Kontidou, a doctoral student at the Karolinska Institute and the study’s first author. The findings underscore the importance of long-term diabetes management and proactive cardiovascular risk assessment.
