Using light exposure to protect the heart during surgery
Official title: Targeting the endothelial clock to treat perioperative myocardial ischemia
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10705355 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using bright light can help protect the heart during surgery by boosting a special protein, and it's aimed at finding new ways to keep patients safe while they undergo heart procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $382,819 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HL156955-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10705355 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for surgical procedures who are at risk of myocardial ischemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or who have pre-existing severe heart conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how manipulating the body's internal clock through light exposure can protect the heart from damage during surgical procedures. It focuses on a protein called Period 2 (PER2) that plays a role in heart protection against ischemia, a condition where blood flow to the heart is reduced. By exposing mice to intense light, researchers aim to enhance the protective effects of PER2, potentially leading to new therapies for patients undergoing heart surgery. The study will explore the mechanisms behind this protective effect and how it can be translated into clinical practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies that significantly reduce heart damage during and after surgery, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using light to enhance cardiac protection is novel, similar strategies targeting circadian rhythms have shown promise in other areas of research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De la Garza Eckle, Tobias — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: De la Garza Eckle, Tobias
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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.