How mitochondria and iron cause heart muscle damage after a heart attack
Mitochondria-mediated mechanisms of ferroptosis in response to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury
This project looks at whether an iron-driven form of cell death in heart cell mitochondria makes damage from a heart attack worse and whether stopping it could protect people who’ve had heart attacks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you’ve had a heart attack, this work explores how mitochondria (the cell’s energy centers) may trigger ferroptosis, an iron-linked way cells die that could add to damage when blood flow is restored. The researchers measure specific oxidized fats in heart cells and isolated mitochondria using advanced lipid-detection methods to find molecular signs of ferroptosis. They use lab models of ischemia-reperfusion and chemical triggers to see how blocking ferroptosis pathways changes cell survival. These lab-based findings aim to point toward targets for treatments that could limit extra heart-muscle loss during reperfusion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who recently had a myocardial infarction treated with reperfusion or who are at risk for ischemia-reperfusion injury are the most directly relevant group.
Not a fit: People with non-ischemic heart disease or long-standing, irreversible heart failure are less likely to benefit from therapies targeting reperfusion-induced ferroptosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new therapies that reduce heart muscle loss after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal and cell studies suggest that inhibiting ferroptosis can reduce heart injury, but human treatments based on this approach have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
San Juan, United States
- University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences — San Juan, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torres-Ramos, Carlos a — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Torres-Ramos, Carlos a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.