Molecular markers of fat use and storage in myocardial tissue
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular markers of fat use and storage in pericardial and myocardial tissue in patients with and without coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac surgery.
IRAS ID
136220
Contact name
Mahmoud Loubani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
The human heart relies of fat as a source of energy to function optimally but this requires a good supply of oxygen. In situations where oxygen is compromised (like in some forms of heart disease) the heart can benefit from switching to more sugar as an energy source which uses less oxygen. However, we do not know what the consequences of altering this energy source and how it might affect the accumulation of fat or sugar in the heart muscle and heart adipose tissue in humans. We already know abnormal energy use in the heart (more sugar use)can cause the accumulation of toxic lipids like ceramide and S1P which affects heart pumping function and heart muscle cell death. However, we propose an investigation into the factors (hormones, enzymes, proteins, transcription factors)that are found in both heart muscle and heart fat tissue that control energy storage or usage. A clearer understanding of these mechanisms may be very important and may potentially provide new treatments and to evaluate existing therapies. \n
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0109
Date of REC Opinion
1 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion