Inflammation and Salt-inducible kinases in heart failure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Inflammation and Salt-inducible kinases - A potential Novel therapeutic strategy in patients with heart failure.
IRAS ID
304359
Contact name
Ify Mordi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research of Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by multiple debilitating symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, ankle swelling, and breathlessness caused by abnormalities in heart structure or function. Inflammation has been shown to be implicated in heart failure development and prognosis. Salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) are "master regulators" of inflammation and may represent a target for reducing inflammation that might improve heart failure symptoms.
Our study will investigate the role of SIKs in 100 HF patients and has two parts. First, we will perform an observational study of SIK activity in a spectrum of patients with HF, including those who have been admitted to hospital, as well as stable out-patients and patients without symptoms, and assess how this compares to heart function and quality of life. Blood samples will be taken for SIK activity and biomarkers related to inflammation. Patients will also complete a quality of life questionnaire (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). Ultrasound scans of the heart (echocardiography) will also be performed in patients where there has not been a recent heart scan (within 6 months). 40 patients will return for a further assessment at 6 months where these tests will be repeated.
The second study involves an experiment on the blood samples obtained where we will use inhibitors of SIK activity and evaluate whether levels of inflammation in the blood samples are reduced in response to these inhibitors.
This study will hopefully provide evidence supporting the role of SIKs on inflammation in heart failure and the potential for SIK inhibition as a novel HF treatment.Summary of Results
We successfully recruited 77 heart failure (HF) patients, comprising 39 inpatients and 38 outpatients.Both inpatient and outpatient groups underwent blood testing to measure inflammatory markers, and echocardiography to assess cardiac function and structure, and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) to evaluate HF-related quality of life. Inpatients were also called back for a follow-up visit.
The mean age of the cohort was 70 years and the majority of participants were male (71%).
The key finding of our study was that inpatients had higher levels of inflammation compared to outpatients and this correlated with severity of heart failure and responses to treatment.
This suggests that inflammation is important in heart failure and may be something that can be targeted for treatment in future.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
22/ES/0019
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion