Conjugated Linoleic Acid-Mediated Connexin-43 Remodeling and Sudden Arrhythmic Death in Myocardial Infarction.

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is expressed in the left and right ventricles and is primarily responsible for conducting physiological responses in microvasculature. Studies have demonstrated that NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzymes are essential in cardiac redox biology and are responsible for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NOX2 is linked to left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI).

MicroRNAs as predictive biomarkers for myocardial injury in aged mice following myocardial infarction.

The occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) increases appreciably with age. In the Framingham Heart Study, the incidence of MI more than doubles for men and increases more than five-fold in women (ages 55-64 years compared to 85-94 years). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) quantitatively regulate their target's expression post-transcriptionally by either silencing action through binding at the 3'UTR domains or degrading the messages at their coding regions.

Conjugated linoleic acid and nitrite attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction during myocardial ischemia.

Cardiovascular health is influenced by dietary composition and the western diet is composed of varying types/amounts of fat. Conjugated linoleic acid (cLA) is an abundant dietary unsaturated fatty acid associated with health benefits but its biological signaling is not well understood. Nitrite is enriched in vegetables within the diet and can impact signaling of unsaturated fatty acids; however, its role on cLA signaling is not well understood.

Nitrite treatment rescues cardiac dysfunction in aged mice treated with conjugated linoleic acid.

Conjugated linoleic acid (cLA) is a commercially available weight-loss supplement that is not currently regulated by the U.S. FDA.

Structural determinants for the ouabain-stimulated increase in Na-K ATPase activity.

Recent studies suggest that at low concentrations, ouabain increases Na-K ATPase and NHE1 activity and activates the Src signaling cascade in proximal tubule cells. Our laboratory demonstrated that low concentrations of ouabain increase blood pressure in rats. We hypothesize that ouabain-induced increase in blood pressure and Na-K ATPase activity requires NHE1 activity and association.

Co-treatment with conjugated linoleic acid and nitrite protects against myocardial infarction.

According to the CDC, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which commonly leads to myocardial infarction (MI). Therapeutic approaches to lessen the resulting cardiovascular injury associated with MI are limited. Recently, MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to act as negative regulators of gene expression by inhibiting mRNA translation and/or stimulating mRNA degradation.