Functional Genomics of Cardioprotection by Ischemic Conditioning and the Influence of Comorbid Conditions:

Zoltan V Varga, Zoltan Giricz, Peter Bencsik

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4, Budapest, H-1089, Hungary. peter.ferdinandy@pharmahungary.com.

Current Drug Targets
|April 28, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Understanding how heart disease risk factors affect cardioprotection is key. Analyzing gene expression in normal, protected, and comorbid hearts may reveal new drug targets for heart protection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Molecular Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading global cause of mortality, driven by risk factors like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.
  • Endogenous cardioprotective mechanisms, such as ischemic conditioning, enhance heart resistance to injury, but their efficacy is diminished by comorbidities like hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on the efficacy of cardioprotective ischemic conditioning maneuvers.
  • To identify novel molecular targets for cardioprotection by analyzing myocardial gene expression profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Examined the effects of ischemic conditioning on myocardial gene expression in normal and comorbid conditions.
  • Analyzed transcriptomic changes associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury and cardioprotection.

Main Results:

  • Cardiovascular comorbidities and their treatments interfere with endogenous cardioprotective mechanisms.
  • Ischemia-reperfusion injury and cardioprotection significantly alter myocardial gene expression at the transcript level.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive analysis of gene expression fingerprints in various conditions is crucial for identifying novel cardioprotective targets.
  • Understanding these molecular mechanisms can lead to improved therapeutic strategies for ischemic heart disease, especially in patients with comorbidities.

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
92
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
702
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
775
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
4.1K
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
801
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
126