New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) Type 2 diabetes subtly alters the structure of the heart and its energy production capabilities, leading to an increased likelihood of heart failure, as suggested by recent research.

Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, examined donated human hearts and discovered that diabetes disrupts the energy production mechanisms in heart cells, weakens the muscle structure, and encourages the accumulation of stiff, fibrous tissue, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively.

The impact was especially evident in individuals suffering from ischemic cardiomyopathy, which is the primary cause of heart failure.

These findings, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, shed light on why individuals with diabetes are at a significantly elevated risk of developing heart failure.

Dr. Benjamin Hunter from the School of Medical Sciences commented, "We have long recognized a connection between heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but this study is groundbreaking as it concurrently investigates diabetes and ischemic heart disease, revealing a distinctive molecular profile in patients with both conditions."

"Our research indicates that diabetes modifies the heart's energy production, affects its structural integrity under stress, and alters its contraction capabilities for effective blood pumping. Utilizing advanced microscopy techniques, we observed direct alterations in the heart muscle due to this condition, manifested as an accumulation of fibrous tissue," he added.

To delve deeper into how diabetes impacts the heart, the team analyzed heart tissue from transplant recipients alongside healthy individuals. This direct investigation allowed them to understand how diabetes affects heart biology in actual human patients, rather than relying exclusively on animal studies.

The results reveal that diabetes is not merely a co-existing condition with heart disease; it actively accelerates heart failure by disrupting vital biological processes and reshaping the heart muscle at a microscopic level.

"The metabolic implications of diabetes on the heart remain not fully understood in humans," stated Hunter.

In healthy hearts, energy is predominantly derived from fats, with glucose and ketones playing additional roles. Previous studies have indicated that glucose utilization increases during heart failure. However, diabetes hampers this process by diminishing the sensitivity of heart cells to insulin.