Diabetes, a disease which results in uncontrolled blood glucose levels, is estimated to affect one in 11 adults worldwide. Even when managed, this common disease can result in life-altering complications, impacting the small blood vessels of the body, known as the microvasculature.  

While treatments are available for patients who develop microvascular complications, such as diabetic eye and kidney disease, these treatments do not fully delay progression. Eventually they may result in blindness and kidney failure in patients. 

The research team was interested in the protective lining of all blood vessels, called the glycocalyx. This lining is known to be damaged in diabetes. The researchers showed in two mouse models that by preventing damage to this protective layer, the development of diabetic eye and kidney disease could be stopped. 

This is achieved using a ‘heparanase inhibitor’. Heparanase acts likes a pair of scissors, damaging the glycocalyx lining. Heparanase inhibitors stop this damage from happening. The research team has developed a novel class of these drugs, which could be successfully developed as a medication to treat patients. 

Read the full University of Bristol news item

Paper: ‘Heparanase inhibition as a systemic approach to protect endothelial glycocalyx and prevent microvascular complications in diabetes’ by Monica Gamez, Rebecca R. Foster et al. in Cardiovascular Diabetology [open access].