When fat tissue doesn’t function properly, dietary fat can end up in the wrong places - such as in the blood vessels - leading to atherosclerosis and blood clots. In a new research project, scientists will investigate how fat tissue dysfunction influences the development of cardiovascular disease in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and four research groups in Denmark and Sweden. It is led by Professor Jacob Fog Bentzon.

The researchers aim to understand how lipids change when fat tissue fails and how these changes affect vascular cells. Previous studies have shown that certain fats can cause muscle cells in the vessel wall to proliferate and change character - a process that can accelerate atherosclerosis.

“We are getting better at treating type 2 diabetes, but cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among patients with the condition. We need to understand why some are affected more severely than others - and the function of fat tissue plays a key role here,” says Professor and Head of Research Niels Jessen.

The project combines advanced analyses of blood samples and heart scans from 5,000 people with type 2 diabetes with experimental studies in genetically modified mice. The goal is to identify the fats that drive atherosclerosis - and ultimately to develop more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Contact

Professor and Head of Research Niels Jessen
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus
Phone: +45 28 59 63 52
Email: niels.jessen@biomed.au.dk

This text is based on press material from Steno Diabetes Center.