Protecting the damaged heart from excessive cell death represents a novel therapeutic strategy that may lead to increased viable myocardial after ischemic insults such as myocardial infarction (MI). The hematopoietic cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) has recently shown to offer in vivo neuroprotection following hypoxia/ischemia stress. This appears to involve inhibition of programmed cell death or apoptosis. This proposal is formulated to test whether EPO has any cellular protection effects in the heart following hypoxia/ischemia such as after an MI. The Central Hypothesis of this proposal is that EPO can protect myocytes against cell death in the ischemic heart. Moreover, increasing viable myocardium post-MI with EPO treatment will lead to improved cardiac function acutely and chronically. To test this hypothesis, we will utilize in vitro and in vivo model assays including cultured adult ventricular cardiomyocytes and an ischemia model in the rabbit where we will analyze EPO's effect on apoptosis and cardiac function acutely and chronically post-MI.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HL074621-02
Application #
6828263
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F10 (20))
Program Officer
Commarato, Michael
Project Start
2003-08-11
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2004-08-11
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$44,607
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705