New research led by Glasgow University Professor, Naveed Sattar, shows that drugs normally used to treat patients with diabetes could help those suffering from angina.

Angina is commonly caused by narrowing of the blood vessels, however, there are sufferers of angina whose blood vessels 'appear' healthy. These patients are known as having 'syndrome X' and it is thought that their angina may be caused by the same condition that causes diabetes - 'insulin resistance'.

Since diabetes drugs, such as metfomin target the 'insulin resistance' the British Heart Foundation (BHF) funded research shows that they could also treat the angina of 'syndrome X' sufferers.

Professor Sattar said: "While more tests are required before the therapy is offered more widely, initial tests show that we appear to have identified a new way to treat angina in many individuals.

"Other evidence also suggests that treating 'insulin resistance' can reduce the future risk of heart attack so there could be dual benefits of using diabetes drugs in treating angina. This dual benefit would be a significant advantage over other current treatments and, as a result, warrants further larger trials."

Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the BHF said: 'We have no good explanation for why patients with Syndrome X get angina, but it is relatively common and extremely difficult to treat.

'This encouraging study offers some promise that such patients may benefit from metformin, which is a well established and cheap treatment for diabetes.

'The BHF will continue to fund work in this area to help crack a problem that has caused much frustration to cardiologists and distress to their patients.'

Kate Richardson (k.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

1. For more information please contact the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email k.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk. The BHF press office can be contacted on 020 7487 7172 or 07764290381 (out of hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk.

2. ?Insulin resistance? is when the body?s tissues resist the action of insulin. It can lead to a slowing of sugar uptake into tissues (leading eventually to diabetes) and also to deterioration of the function of all blood vessels, including those supplying the heart (giving rise to angina).

3. The research consisted of an eight-week study of 33 nondiabetic women who had angina but whose arteries appeared normal. 16 women were prescribed the diabetes drug metformin and 17 prescribed a placebo.

4. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is leading the battle against heart and circulatory disease - the UK's biggest killer. The Charity is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research. It plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and care.

5. For more information on the BHF, visit bhf.org.uk

First published: 30 August 2006