Understanding how chloride and pH levels affect heart health and disease
Official title: Cardiac chloride and pH regulation in health and disease
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11026409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain substances in heart cells affect their acidity levels, especially in people with coronary heart disease, to help find new ways to improve heart health and prevent irregular heartbeats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $402,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL158961-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11026409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with coronary heart disease or other cardiac conditions that affect heart function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any cardiac conditions or those who are not experiencing issues related to heart function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of chloride and bicarbonate in regulating pH levels in heart cells, particularly during conditions like coronary heart disease. By studying a specific protein, Slc26a6, which helps exchange chloride and bicarbonate in heart cells, the research aims to uncover how these processes influence heart function and arrhythmias. The team will use advanced techniques to analyze heart cells from both mice and humans to understand the mechanisms at play. This knowledge could lead to new therapeutic strategies for heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for heart disease, potentially reducing mortality and enhancing heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding chloride and bicarbonate regulation in heart cells, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Xiao-Dong — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Xiao-Dong
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.