Understanding and repairing alcohol-related heart damage
Alcohol-induced cardiac injury and repair in human induced pluripotent stem cell model
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11075266
This research explores how alcohol harms heart cells and how we might help them recover, using human heart cells grown in the lab.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11075266 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Alcohol can cause serious damage to the heart, leading to conditions like congenital heart disease in infants and various heart problems in adults. We know that alcohol can increase cell toxicity, oxidative stress, and affect how calcium is handled in heart cells, but we don't fully understand all the ways it causes harm or how to effectively treat it. This project uses human heart cells grown from stem cells in the lab, called hiPSC-CMs, to study these effects. By using these human cells, we can better understand the specific mechanisms of alcohol-induced heart injury and look for new ways to repair the damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for individuals of all ages affected by alcohol-related heart damage, including those with congenital heart disease linked to alcohol exposure and adults with alcohol-induced cardiac issues.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart conditions are not related to alcohol exposure are unlikely to directly benefit from the specific findings of this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments and therapies for people suffering from alcohol-induced heart conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While animal models have been used, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is a more recent and promising approach to better understand human-specific responses to alcohol.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: XU, CHUNHUI — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: XU, CHUNHUI
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.