D-ribose aids heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction and diastolic dysfunction: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Physiology

Background:

• Heart failure incidence is rising globally, with over half of cases involving preserved ejection fraction or diastolic dysfunction.
• Currently, no effective therapies exist for isolated diastolic dysfunction.
• Cellular energy metabolism, specifically high energy phosphates, is crucial for maintaining cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential role of D-ribose in improving diastolic dysfunction in patients with congestive heart failure and preserved systolic function.
• To assess the impact of D-ribose supplementation on energy-dependent diastolic function.

Main Methods:

• Eleven patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV heart failure, normal systolic function, and diastolic dysfunction were enrolled.
• Participants received oral D-ribose (5 g/dose) for six weeks.
• Echocardiography, cardiopulmonary metabolic testing, and subjective assessments were conducted at baseline, six weeks, and nine weeks.

Main Results:

• 64% of patients showed improved tissue Doppler velocity (E'), sustained three weeks post-intervention.
• Five patients experienced enhanced early diastolic filling velocity (E) to early annulus relaxation velocity (E') ratio.
• Improvements in maximal predicted VO2 were observed in four patients, with mixed results in others; subjective benefits were minimal.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study indicates potential beneficial trends of D-ribose in heart failure patients with diastolic dysfunction.
• Despite a small sample size, observed improvements warrant further investigation.
• Future research is necessary to validate these findings and establish D-ribose efficacy.