How the heart clears damaged mitochondria and uses energy in heart failure
Interplay between mitophagy and substrate utilization in heart failure progression
Researchers are looking at whether the cell process that clears damaged 'power plants' in heart cells helps hearts keep using the right fuels in people with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231272 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores how mitophagy, the process that removes damaged mitochondria, interacts with which fuels the heart uses as heart failure develops. Scientists will use a special mouse model that lets them watch mitophagy in living heart tissue and will alter fatty acid and glucose use to see how those changes affect mitochondrial cleanup. They will use genetic tools, biochemical tests, and heart-function measurements to track mitochondria, cell health, and overall cardiac performance. The team aims to determine whether enhancing mitophagy could protect heart cells and guide new treatment ideas for heart failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with heart failure or cardiomyopathy would be the most likely candidates for any future therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or whose heart problems are caused mainly by non-metabolic issues are unlikely to see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatment targets that protect heart cells and improve energy use in people with heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show mitophagy influences heart health, but directly linking mitophagy to shifts in heart fuel use is a newer and still experimental area.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Nuo — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Nuo
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.