New Publication from Dr. Nilesh Ghugre
MBP scientist Dr. Nilesh Ghugre and research collaborators have published a new Basic Research in Cardiology (BIRC) article entitled 'Action of iron chelator on intramyocardial hemorrhage and cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction'.
Abstract
Intramyocardial hemorrhage is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Iron deposition resulting from ischemia–reperfusion injury (I/R) is pro-inflammatory and has been associated with adverse remodeling. The role of iron chelation in hemorrhagic acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has never been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardioprotection offered by the iron-chelating agent deferiprone (DFP) in an experimental setting by evaluating hemorrhage neutralization and subsequent cardiac remodeling. A comprehensive MRI examination was performed at various time points post-AMI. The DFP treatment group demonstrated earlier resolution of both hemorrhage (by T2* relaxation) and edema (by T2 relaxation). Additionally, ventricular enlargement and myocardial hypertrophy (wall thickness and mass) were significantly smaller with DFP, suggesting reduced adverse remodeling, compared to a control group. The histologic results were consistent with the MRI findings. To date, there is no effective targeted therapy for reperfusion hemorrhage. Our proof-of-concept study is the first to identify hemorrhage-derived iron as a therapeutic target in I/R and exploit the cardioprotective properties of an iron-chelating drug candidate in the setting of AMI. Iron chelation could potentially serve as an adjunctive therapy in hemorrhagic AMI and thus provide a unique personalized therapy for the high-risk STEMI patient population.