This Cheap Tablet May Help Prevent Heart Failure, Says Study
Last Updated:
Researchers found the drug reduced heart stiffness caused by diabetes, which weakens energy conversion in the heart and raises the risk of sudden heart failure
A new study has revealed that an inexpensive medication can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure or heart attack in diabetes patients. According to the study, diabetes patients who took the affordable drug Mitoquinone had a much lower risk of heart attack compared to those who did not take the medication. Priced at just 90 pence in Britain, Mitoquinone is available as an over-the-counter supplement in both the UK and the US.
According to a Daily Mail report, the most remarkable finding of the study was that heart damage in diabetic patients was also reversed after being given the drug mitoquinone. This is significant, as heart muscles typically weaken in diabetic patients. Mitoquinone is a synthetic antioxidant that protects cells and is a modified form of CoQ10, an antioxidant naturally found in the body.
Study author and heart specialist at the University of Leeds, Dr. Henry Proctor, called the results encouraging. He added that if the study had been conducted over a longer period, the difference between the mitoquinone and non-mitoquinone groups might have been more apparent in serious indicators of heart health. However, he expressed hope that larger studies will continue on the benefits of this antioxidant, which could one day help diabetic patients prevent heart failure in advance.
Heart Function Rises 15% With New Drug
The results of the study were presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester. Half of the patients included in the study were given 40 mg of mitoquinone daily along with their usual diabetes treatment, while the rest were given only their usual medicines. The heart health of both groups was studied and re-evaluated after four months.
At the end of the trial, the heart function of the group taking mitoquinone was found to be 15 percent higher than at the beginning of the study. The mitoquinone group also showed improvement in exercise tests. Their hearts returned to a relaxed state more easily after exercise.
Researchers said that after taking the medicine, the stress and stiffness in the heart caused by diabetes was reduced. Diabetes damages the heart in such a way that the heart becomes weak in converting energy. Over time, this obstacle increases the stress and damage to the heart muscle cells, due to which the heart muscles become stiff. In this condition, more effort is needed to pump blood throughout the body, which increases the risk of sudden heart failure.
No Side Effects Reported
Mitoquinone helps protect cells from damage. It is already sold online as a health supplement, with a 60-tablet bottle priced around £50—roughly 86 pence per tablet. However, these over-the-counter doses are much lower than those used in the study. Importantly, no side effects were reported in the group taking mitoquinone.
Scientists are now planning a larger trial involving more patients to strengthen their findings. If future studies confirm these results, experts hope mitoquinone could one day be used to protect the hearts of diabetic patients for longer.
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 18:22 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
JD Vance weighs in on Trump-Musk feud with cryptic post amid the public fallout
Vice President JD Vance appeared to wade into the growing tension between Donald Trump and Elon Musk with a cryptic social media post. Sharing a photo with comedian Von, he seemed to subtly reference the headline-making fallout between the former president and the tech billionaire that's been dominating the conversation. Also Read: Trump ally says 'illegal alien' Elon Musk should be deported 'immediately': 'MAGA is now seeing exactly what he was' Hinting at an upcoming appearance on Von's podcast, the vice president joked, 'Hinting at an upcoming appearance on Von's podcast, the vice president joked?' Von responded to the subtle jab post as he wrote, 'We will think of somethin.' Even Musk replied with a crying laughing emoji under Vance's post, which is the latter's first comment on the very public fallout between Trump and his First Buddy, as reported by Daily Mail. Vance's post also ignited another debate, as many users asked where his loyalties lie amid this feud. A user wrote, ' won't be surprised if @realDonaldTrump sacks Vance for his close association with @elonmusk.' While another user wrote, 'If JD doesn't show loyalty to Trump and rebuke Elon right now he will never be president.' Also Read: Elon Musk to start new political party amid Trump feud? Tesla boss drops massive hint The public fallout between Trump and Elon Musk marked a dramatic end to what had been a close and influential alliance between the U.S. president and the tech billionaire. On Thursday, the rift became highly visible on social media, with the President threatening to cut government contracts with Musk's companies, and the latter responding by calling for Trump's impeachment, claims of his involvement in Epstein files and criticizing his signature spending bill—the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'—as fiscally irresponsible.
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
US Troops In South Korea To Attack China In Case Of Taiwan Invasion? What Defence Secy Said
Last Updated: Currently, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea, primarily tasked with deterring threats from North Korea. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that American forces stationed in South Korea are ready to respond if China launches a military assault on Taiwan. Pete Hegseth warned that 'Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific," adding that the Pentagon is now 'reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China." This strategic shift means US troops in South Korea, along with forces based in Japan, Hawaii, and Guam, would be part of a broader regional deterrence effort aimed at countering a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Currently, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea, primarily tasked with deterring threats from North Korea. While no changes have been made to the US footprint, officials say any future deployment strategy would be optimized to counter both Pyongyang and Beijing, as per Daily Mail. US Looking At China's Actions The growing US focus on China, however, poses a diplomatic challenge for South Korea. Public opinion has historically been wary of American military presence, and the country's newly elected President, Lee Jae-myung, has voiced support for engagement with North Korea. China's Exercises Around Taiwan Tensions in the region escalated sharply last month when China staged large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, deploying dozens of warships and aircraft in a simulated blockade. Satellite imagery revealed massive 'invasion barges"- modular mobile piers that could allow Chinese forces to land en masse on Taiwan's shores, analysts have said. Donald Trump On Taiwan This comes as US President Donald Trump pressured Taiwan to pay more for its defence while imposing steep tariffs on the island's exports- moves that some fear signal a willingness to treat Taipei as a bargaining chip in US- China negotiations, as per experts. First Published:
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
COVID-19 resurgence: New variant found in China is just 'small mutation' away from causing a pandemic again, warn scientists
Amid the fresh spike in COVID-19 cases across Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and India, American researchers suspect that a new COVID-19 variant called HKU5-CoV-2, discovered in China, could lead to another pandemic. Scientists have warned that the new HKU5-CoV-2 virus is just a 'small mutation' away from becoming a highly infectious variant. This is suspected to cause an outbreak among human beings. According to the Daily Mail, the pathogen detected in the virus is closely linked to MERS, which is considered to be a lethal virus that can kill up to a third of its affected population. What is the HKU5 variant of COVID-19? During the research conducted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the HKU5 variant was found in bats in a Chinese lab. A study from Washington State University recorded the unique pathogens interacting with human cells. The co-leader of the study, Professor Michael Letko, confirmed that the viruses are infectious among human cells. The study further revealed that a small change in the virus HKU5's spike protein can potentially blind the ACE2 cells in the human body. 🚨 BREAKING: A new, dangerous coronavirus strain, HKU5-CoV-2, found in Chinese bats could spark the next pandemic, scientists warn. It uses the same human cell entry as COVID-19. Are we prepared for another global health crisis? #Coronavirus #GlobalHealth #PandemicThreat This virus is commonly found in the throats, mouths, and noses, which act as receptors for coronavirus. How lethal is the HKU5-CoV-2 strain of COVID-19? The results of the study noted that the HKU5-CoV-2 strain only spreads in bats; however, the scientists fear that this can be a major cause of concern for further lethal spread. As per the scientists, the 'pseudo-viruses' were created with specific gene editing to test various types of cells and how they react to them. Not only this, but some bats carrying ACE2 were also tested along with this. It also showed little response in human cells unless the virus carried specific mutations. However, the major concern is raised by the possibility of the HKU5 variant reaching an intermediate animal stage. Humid conditions are the breeding ground for HKU5 variants According to the findings, the virus is susceptible to wetness and humidity, which are the breeding grounds for the mutation of the HKU5-CoV-2 virus, which serves as an international host of transmission from animals to human beings. However, the resemblance to the highly contagious Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is the main source of concern for the scientists. Although some variants did attach to human ACE2 cells, researchers are still examining the mutation pattern and its likelihood of infecting human beings. Symptoms of HKU5-CoV-2 There are no confirmed cases of HKU5-CoV-2 variants in human beings so far; hence, its symptoms are unknown, but since the virus belongs to the same subgenus as MERS and COVID-19, it may cause similar respiratory symptoms: Fever Cough Shortness of breath Sore throat Fatigue Body aches
