Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Investigating Cardiac Metabolism in the Isolated Perfused Mouse Heart with Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Pyruvate and 13C/31P NMR Spectroscopy
14:56

Investigating Cardiac Metabolism in the Isolated Perfused Mouse Heart with Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Pyruvate and 13C/31P NMR Spectroscopy

Published on: April 21, 2023

2.1K

The Correlation of PPARα Activity and Cardiomyocyte Metabolism and Structure in Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

E Czarnowska1, D Domal-Kwiatkowska2, E Reichman-Warmusz3

  • 1Department of Pathology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Aleja Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland.

PPAR Research
|March 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Elevated PPARα in heart failure (HF) correlates with adverse metabolic and structural changes. This suggests a narrow therapeutic window for interventions targeting cardiac metabolism and cardiomyocyte structure in failing hearts.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) progression involves complex metabolic and structural changes in cardiomyocytes.
  • Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) plays a role in cardiac metabolism, but its precise relationship with HF progression and structural remodeling is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between PPARα expression and metabolic-structural characteristics during the progression of heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients.
  • To determine the correlation between PPARα levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and identify potential therapeutic windows.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of endomyocardial biopsy samples from HF patients grouped by LVEF (45-50%, 30-40%, <30%) and healthy controls (>60%).
  • Quantification of mRNA expression for PPARα, fatty acid translocase/CD36 (FAT/CD36), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK-4).
  • Assessment of cardiomyocyte structural changes and glycogen accumulation.

Main Results:

  • PPARα mRNA expression was low in early HF (LVEF 45-50%), high in moderate HF (LVEF 30-40%), and similar to controls in advanced HF (LVEF <30%).
  • FAT/CD36 and CPT-1 mRNA levels mirrored PPARα changes, while GLUT-4 and PDK-4 mRNA were continuously overexpressed in moderate to advanced HF.
  • Increased PPARα expression correlated with cardiomyocyte structural changes, glycogen accumulation, and a negative correlation with LVEF.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated PPARα levels may directly contribute to adverse metabolic and structural remodeling in the failing heart.
  • There is a limited therapeutic window for interventions aimed at modulating cardiac metabolism and protecting cardiomyocyte structure in HF.
  • Understanding the dynamic role of PPARα in HF progression is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction08:31

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Published on: July 26, 2018

11.0K
Modeling and Evaluation of Murine Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model06:22

Modeling and Evaluation of Murine Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.7K

Related Concept Videos

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,...
740
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
769
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
783
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
4.5K
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
1.3K
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...
661