How lactate and ketones might reduce heart inflammation after a heart attack

Anti-Inflammatory Roles and Macrophage Metabolism of Lactate and Ketones during Myocardial Infarction

NIH-funded research University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11143245

This work looks at whether lactate and ketone molecules can calm immune cells and help hearts heal after a heart attack, especially in people with diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Jackson, United States)
Project IDNIH-11143245 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are studying how immune cells called macrophages change their fuel use after a heart attack and whether lactate and ketone bodies push them toward a healing, anti-inflammatory state. Much of the work uses laboratory models of heart attack and metabolic tests to measure how macrophages burn glucose, lactate, or ketones. The team will compare responses in diabetic versus non-diabetic settings to understand why people with diabetes heal worse after heart attacks. Findings are intended to point toward treatments that could improve healing and lower the chance of heart failure.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who have had a recent heart attack, especially those with diabetes, would be the most relevant group for this line of research.

Not a fit: People without a recent heart attack, children, or those with non-ischemic heart conditions are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to reduce damaging inflammation after heart attacks and lower the risk of heart failure, particularly for people with diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows immune cells change metabolism during inflammation and that ketones and lactate can reduce inflammation in some models, but applying these approaches to improve healing after heart attack—especially in diabetes—is comparatively new.

Where this research is happening

Jackson, 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 Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.