SGLT2 inhibitors emerge as key players in cardiac protection research
A European research initiative has made significant progress in identifying new treatments to protect heart muscle during acute cardiac events, with potential implications for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
New findings from the EU-CARDIOPROTECTION COST Action reveal promising developments in cardiac protection research, particularly in the application of SGLT2 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory approaches for treating heart attacks.
Targeted therapies advance treatment options
The research, led by Professor Derek Hausenloy from University College London, has identified sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors as particularly promising candidates for cardioprotection. These drugs, traditionally prescribed for diabetes management, have demonstrated unexpected cardiovascular benefits in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations, potentially through mechanisms that enhance cardiac energy efficiency.
“Our EU-CARDIOPROTECTION COST Action was set up to identify new treatments to protect the heart muscle during a heart attack and to investigate ways of translating the treatment into the clinic for the benefit of patients,” explains Professor Hausenloy.
Inflammation and microvascular mechanisms
The research has highlighted the critical role of inflammation and microvascular obstruction in heart muscle damage during acute cardiac events. These findings have opened new therapeutic avenues, with Professor Hausenloy noting: “Inflammation in the heart and microvascular obstruction are known to contribute to the heart muscle damage that occurs during a heart attack, so new treatments that can reduce inflammation or prevent microvascular obstruction may be used to treat heart attacks in the future.”
Advancing preclinical research methods
The initiative has made substantial progress in refining preclinical evaluation methods for cardioprotective therapies. Through collaboration with industry partners such as PharmaHungary, researchers have utilised both small and large animal models to validate their findings. While mice and rats serve as cost-effective options for early-stage research, larger animals such as pigs provide more physiologically relevant models for translational studies.
The team is also exploring innovative human cell models as potential alternatives to traditional animal testing. “Currently, the best experimental models for testing new treatments to protect the heart muscle during a heart attack are small and large animal models. However, there are new developments in human cell models that may be able to replace some of the animal models in the future,” Professor Hausenloy explains.
Supporting next generation researchers
The initiative has made significant investments in developing early-career researchers through more than 30 Short-Term Scientific Missions. These opportunities have enabled young scientists to acquire new technical skills and establish international collaborations, strengthening the future of cardioprotection research.
Future directions
The work continues through related initiatives including the CardioRNA COST Action and the new EU-METAHEART programme, which focuses on metabolic alterations in heart failure. These collaborative efforts aim to build upon the foundational work of EU-CARDIOPROTECTION in advancing cardiac treatment options.
