How heme and its breakdown products affect heart function

Emerging role of heme and heme degradation products in the modulation of cardiac ion channels

NIH-funded research University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-10668491

This study is looking at how heme, a substance found in foods like red meat, and its breakdown products, especially carbon monoxide, might affect heart function by changing how heart cells work, which could help us understand heart health better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Edinburg, United States)
Project IDNIH-10668491 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of heme and its degradation products, particularly carbon monoxide, in regulating cardiac ion channels and their impact on heart function. The study aims to understand how excess heme from dietary sources, like red meat, influences cardiovascular health by potentially altering ion channel activity and mitophagy in heart cells. By exploring these mechanisms, the research seeks to uncover new insights into the physiological and pathological roles of heme in the cardiovascular system.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cardiovascular diseases or those at high risk due to dietary habits involving red meat consumption.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiovascular conditions or those who do not consume red meat may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating cardiovascular diseases linked to dietary heme intake.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, there is emerging evidence suggesting that heme and its derivatives play significant roles in cardiovascular physiology.

Where this research is happening

Edinburg, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cardiovascular Diseasescardiovascular disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.