Drug Treats Diabetes and Heart Disease in Mice Study

A single experimental drug may soon fight two major health threats at once, offering new hope in the battle against diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers at Leiden University Medical Centre and Monash University discovered that IC7Fc, a compound already showing promise for type 2 diabetes, also protects the heart by reducing harmful cholesterol and calming inflammation in blood vessels. The findings, published in Science Advances, could reshape how doctors approach cardiovascular care for millions of patients.

Heart disease remains the world's biggest killer, largely driven by atherosclerosis. That's when fatty deposits clog arteries and restrict blood flow to the heart. Even with current treatments that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, many people still face significant risk.

In experiments with mice genetically prone to heart disease, IC7Fc clearly reduced blood fats and cholesterol levels. The drug also limited fatty plaque buildup along artery walls and reduced inflammation inside the vessels themselves. Since plaque and chronic inflammation drive heart attacks and strokes, these results suggest IC7Fc could tackle multiple disease processes simultaneously.

Professor Mark Febbraio from Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences led the research. He explained that earlier studies showed IC7Fc could manage type 2 diabetes, and this new work proves it can also slow artery clogging.

The drug offers another surprising benefit. In lean mice with high cholesterol, IC7Fc protected the heart without changing body weight or appetite. This means the treatment could help people regardless of their size, not just those struggling with obesity.

The Bright Side

This discovery highlights how one innovative treatment might address multiple health challenges at once. For people living with diabetes who face heightened heart disease risk, IC7Fc could offer dual protection from a single medication. That means fewer pills, simpler treatment plans, and better outcomes.

The research team emphasizes that human studies are essential next steps. What works in mice doesn't always translate to people, but the early results offer genuine reason for optimism. The compound targets fundamental disease processes shared across species, suggesting its benefits may prove universal.

With heart disease and diabetes affecting hundreds of millions globally, scientists are racing to find better solutions. Traditional treatments often address one condition while leaving others unchecked. IC7Fc's two-in-one approach could change that paradigm entirely.

The next phase will test whether IC7Fc delivers the same promising results in human trials, bringing this potential breakthrough one step closer to patients who need it most.