Posted on 01/07/2024 8:57:49 AM PST by ConservativeMind
A study unlocks the secrets of how high blood pressure (hypertension) fuels the progression of arterial disease.
Led by Professor Thomas Iskratsch, the research team exposes a novel mechanism by which elevated pressure transforms muscle cells in the arterial wall into "foam cells"—the building blocks of plaque buildup that cripples arteries.
The study focuses on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the workhorses responsible for maintaining blood vessel tone and flow. Under the chronic stress of hypertension, VSMCs undergo a dramatic makeover. The researchers discovered that pressure alone triggers these cells to fill with lipid droplets, morphing them into foam cells—culprits in forming atherosclerotic lesions, the hallmark of arterial disease.
"This finding is pivotal because VSMCs make up over half of the foam cells found in arterial blockages," explains Professor Iskratsch. "Understanding how pressure flips this switch from muscle to foam cell is crucial for developing new therapies to control or reverse the buildup of these dangerous lesions."
The study goes deeper, identifying the molecular machinery behind pressure's impact. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers pinpointed a "mechanosignaling" pathway involving Piezo1, a pressure-sensitive protein, as well as changes in lipid metabolism and gene activity. This paves the way for novel therapies targeting specific pressure-sensitive points in the cell.
This breakthrough research offers a deeper understanding of arterial disease and exciting possibilities for future treatment strategies. By targeting the mechanisms that drive VSMC transformation into foam cells, researchers might be able to develop medications that prevent or even shrink atherosclerotic lesions.
"Our findings provide a vital blueprint for developing next-generation therapies that could benefit millions suffering from the life-threatening consequences of arterial disease," concludes Professor Iskratsch. "This is a significant step forward in our journey towards a future where high blood pressure doesn't have to steal away life."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Until now, it was believed foam cells were actually macrophages (white blood cells), which normally clean up injured tissue.
This will rewrite a few medical books.
It looks even more important to get your blood pressure down.
smh
Yet another ‘study’ to file under “inflammation”.
To anyone scratching their heads at my comment, I recommend researching the effects of slow poisoning, e.g.,
https://medicalhealthauthority.com/info/how-can-i-tell-if-i-am-being-slowly-poisoned.html
“Signs and Symptoms of Slow Poisoning
Detecting slow poisoning can be challenging as the symptoms can vary depending on the type of toxin and the individual’s overall health. However, there are some common signs to watch out for:
Fatigue and weakness
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Memory problems
Skin rashes
Difficulty breathing
Digestive issues”
I assert in my book that someday following my own conversion to room temperature they will eventually concede that ‘lifestyle disease’ also results in many of those symptoms and add ‘obesity’, ‘Type 2 diabetes’ etc. to the list above.
Some years back I spotted a Canadian study about iron. Some docs took apart some inflamed veins/arteries. They found a load of iron and bacteria. Both were UNDER the plaques.
Their theory was that the plaques protected the bacteria from antibiotics and white blood cells — like a wall in a house. Beneath the plaques oxygen was also not in abundance. The bacteria, tho, could grab onto iron in the blood, which they used in their cells.
What bothered the docs was that their sampling showed that the inflammation increased over time — like it was lower decades ago and much higher and increasing over the years. This tracked almost perfectly with food agencies “injecting” or fortifying common foods with iron — to help out women since they lose iron on a regular/monthly basis.
For guys, tho, this is suicide. The excess iron feeds the bacteria. And, the growing lumps of bacteria cause inflammation which swells into the blood stream — which closes off the flow of blood. Oops. Heart attack. But, only for guys.
So, avoid extra iron. Starve the buggies.
Interesting. I’ve never read about such an interaction. Frankly, I’m not sure how I never came across it. I’ll have to go down that bunny hole during the coming cold weather and add to the book.
Thanks for posting!
ping
For guys, tho, this is suicide. The excess iron feeds the bacteria. And, the growing lumps of bacteria cause inflammation which swells into the blood stream — which closes off the flow of blood. Oops. Heart attack. But, only for guys.
So, avoid extra iron. Starve the buggies.
Sounds like bad news for men on a carnivore/paleo diet.
I believe this crosses into the “nano-bacteria” area, which has the smalleat bacteria known to exist.
A supplement actually addresses these bacteria in that location.
NanobacTX:
https://www.nanobactx.com/nanobactx-sales-page33542890
It is more likely that High blood pressure is CAUSED by buildup. This requires high levels of proof. So HBP causes plaque not vice versa? Talk about turning things on their collective heads.
I would think that extra iron, as in supplement is the culprit. Americans as a whole, cannot find organ meat in the stores. Leaving them deficient in critical nutrition. I used to eat Liver at least 2 meals a month. Beef hearts, kidneys and tongue are where the most nutrition is. The muscles are what “the pack” eats among wild animals. The Alpha dog and his mates, eat the organs.
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