DRUGS currently undergoing development to treat anaemia could be repurposed to help prevent people with Type 2 diabetes from developing heart failure, according to new research carried out at the Oxford University.

Researchers found that the drug promote activity of a protein which helps heart cells survive after a heart attack - a protein which is largely rendered inactive in people with diabetes.

The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Diabetes UK.

The initial results using diabetic rats suggest that several drugs known to activate the protein (called HIF), which are currently undergoing phase III clinical trials to treat people with anaemia, could potentially be given to people with diabetes immediately after a heart attack in the future.

Although researchers said further work is needed to see whether the same process can be replicated in people.

Dr Lisa Heather, a BHF research fellow at Oxford University who led the research, said: “What we have shown with this research is that the metabolism of people with Type 2 diabetes means they have higher levels of fatty acids in the heart. This prevents signals going to the heart protective protein telling it to ‘kick-in’ after a heart attack.

“But what is perhaps most exciting, is that existing drugs - currently being trialled for people with blood disorders - can reverse that effect and allow the protein to be activated after a heart attack.

“This opens the possibility that, in the near future, we could also use these drugs to help treat heart attacks in people with Type 2 diabetes.”

Nearly 3.7 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, with 90 per cent living with Type 2 diabetes.

If people don’t receive a swift diagnosis and the right care, it can put people at much higher risk of developing heart and circulatory disease.

In the UK there are nearly 200,000 hospital visits each year due to heart attacks.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the research, said: “This research in rats has not only identified the mechanism that could explain why people with Type 2 diabetes to have poorer outcomes after a heart attack, but also a practical way this might be prevented.

“Further studies will be needed to confirm if we see the same benefits in humans. But if we can reactivate the body’s own defence system we may be able to reduce the damage caused by a heart attack and improve people’s quality of life.”

Assistant director of research strategy and partnerships at Diabetes UK, Anna Morris, added: “It’s vital that we find ways to reduce the harm caused by diabetes.

"It’s still early days, but this research is helping us to understand how to improve recovery after a heart attack, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this could help people with Type 2 diabetes in the future.

“For now, the best way to reduce your risk of a heart attack is to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat at healthy levels, seek help to stop smoking, and by being active and eating a healthy, balanced diet.”