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Induction of Atherosclerotic Plaques Through Activation of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice
Published on: September 26, 2018
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Corticosteroid Receptors in Cardiac Health and Disease
Jessica R Ivy1, Gillian A Gray1, Megan C Holmes1
1University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 15, 2022
Summary
Corticosteroid receptors, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), impact heart energy metabolism and cardiomyocyte survival. While MR antagonists treat heart failure, GR activation may offer cardioprotection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nuclear receptors regulate cardiac energy metabolism, cardiomyocyte death, and survival.
- Corticosteroid receptors, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), are crucial in cardiovascular function.
- The precise roles of GR and MR in healthy heart homeostasis remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the homeostatic roles of GR and MR in the healthy heart.
- To understand the contrasting effects of GR and MR activation in cardiac conditions like heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nuclear receptors and cardiac function.
- Analysis of studies investigating corticosteroid receptor actions in cardiomyocytes.
Main Results:
- Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists are established treatments for heart failure, a condition linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte death.
- Animal studies indicate that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation in cardiomyocytes may confer a protective effect, including in heart failure.
Conclusions:
- GR and MR play complex, potentially opposing roles in cardiac health and disease.
- Further research is needed to fully delineate the therapeutic potential of targeting these receptors in cardiovascular conditions.
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