Researchers found cases of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in human mummies, suggesting the condition can stem from reasons not linked to a modern lifestyle.
The study, published in the this month's Global Heart, looks at possible causative factors of the condition that exist independently from modern triggers, the World Heart Federation reported. Clues could be found in the accelerated aging syndrome Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS).
HGPS is characterized by premature aging and atherosclerosis occurring as early as childhood. The genetic defect associated with the condition leads to the production of a structural protein lamin A, called progerin. The protein has been linked to an interference with the normal functioning of blood vessels.
Progerin is believed to be expressed in vascular cells; its presence causes cell walls to be replaced by fibrous tissue, impairing the vessel's function.
"As HGPS patients and many of the ancient humans in the Horus Study demonstrate atherosclerosis without intense exposure to conventionally accepted vascular risk factors, could they together provide insight into the biological processes that more generally contribute to the development of age-related vascular disease?" The researchers asked in their paper.
It is unlikely the effects of HGPS are caused primarily by lifestyle factors because it has been observed in young children. This suggests the existence of an inherent human predisposition to atherosclerosis.
"Such a basic human propensity to the disease exists should not be surprising, perhaps. Clinically, the occurrence of serious disease states related to atherosclerosis, such as acute coronary and stroke syndromes, is not uncommonly observed in modern patients lacking obvious vascular risk factors," they wrote.
The findings suggest there are a number of factors that can lead to atherosclerosis. In ancient times it was most likely caused by infections and diseases while in modern times it is more often linked to lifestyle factors such as having a sedentary lifestyle.
