Lactate's role in heart health
Impact and regulation of lactate metabolism in the heart
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11252620
This project looks at whether changing how the heart handles lactate could help adults with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252620 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team will measure how heart cells make, use, and move lactate by tracing carbon atoms through cardiac metabolism. They will use isotope tracers in isolated cardiomyocytes and whole hearts to quantify lactate production and consumption. The researchers will compare these measurements between healthy hearts and hearts from people with chronic heart failure to define how the lactate–pyruvate balance is altered. Findings will be compared with prior mouse experiments that showed benefit when lactate export was reduced.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic heart failure who can provide clinical samples or participate in metabolism-focused studies may be eligible.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or those whose heart problems are unrelated to metabolic imbalance may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new metabolic treatments that restore healthy heart energy use and slow or reverse heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier mouse studies by the investigator showed that blocking lactate export improved heart function, but translating this approach to humans is new.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CLUNTUN, AHMAD A — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: CLUNTUN, AHMAD 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.