Liposomal azithromycin for heart inflammation
Liposomal azithromycin to treat cardiac inflammation
A specially packaged form of the antibiotic azithromycin is being developed to calm harmful inflammation in the heart after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305220 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a liposomal (fat-encased) version of azithromycin designed to shift immune cells in the injured heart toward healing instead of damage. The team will test the formulation in laboratory and animal models that mimic heart attacks to measure inflammation, immune cell behavior, and heart repair. Results will guide safety and dosing decisions needed before testing the approach in people. The work aims to create a therapy that can be moved into clinical trials if preclinical results look promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would be people who recently had a heart attack or who have active, harmful inflammation in the heart.
Not a fit: People without recent heart injury, those with chronic stable heart disease without inflammatory activity, or those allergic to macrolide antibiotics may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce damaging inflammation after a heart attack and lower the risk of poor heart remodeling and heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Azithromycin has lab and preclinical evidence for immune-modulating effects, but using liposomal azithromycin specifically to repair the heart is largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Venditto, Vincent Joseph — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Venditto, Vincent Joseph
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.