Understanding how estrogen affects heart muscle health
The impact of estrogen receptor alpha on cardiomyocellular metabolism and health
This research explores how a specific estrogen receptor affects heart muscle cells, aiming to understand its role in heart health and conditions like heart failure, especially for women during menopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168935 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Changes in a protein called estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) are connected to a higher risk of heart and metabolic diseases in both women and men, with heart failure becoming more common for women after menopause. We don't yet fully understand the exact reasons for this increased risk or which specific heart cells are most impacted by changes in estrogen. To learn more, this project uses specialized mouse models where the ERα protein can be specifically adjusted within heart muscle cells. By doing this, we can observe how these changes affect the heart's energy production and overall function. The goal is to pinpoint the precise ways estrogen influences heart health, which could lead to better ways to prevent or treat heart conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research aims to help individuals at risk for cardiometabolic disease and heart failure, especially women experiencing menopausal changes.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart conditions are not related to estrogen receptor alpha function or cardiometabolic changes may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating heart disease, particularly for women as they go through menopause.
How similar studies have performed: This project uses a novel approach by specifically manipulating estrogen receptor alpha in heart muscle cells in animal models, addressing limitations of previous, less specific studies.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hevener, Andrea L — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Hevener, Andrea L
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.