Dr Yow Keat Tham

Targeting novel lipids in an oral based treatment for the failing heart

Dr Yow Keat Tham, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

2021 Vanguard Grant

Years funded: 2022-2022

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. New therapies are required to address this major unmet need. Lipids (molecules such as fats) are a major component of cell membranes including heart muscle cells. Recent studies have shown that lipids are altered in various pathologies, such as cardiovascular disease. Plasmalogens are a specific type of lipid that are enriched in the heart. Previous studies demonstrate that plasmalogen levels were reduced in a variety of disease settings such as atherosclerosis, and a dietary supplementation strategy conferred benefit against these disease types.

The major aims of Dr Yow Keat Tham's research project is to:

• non-invasively increase plasmalogens levels in a preclinical model of heart failure via dietary supplementation, and
• assess how increasing plasmalogen levels may benefit the failing heart.

Expected outcomes: Dietary supplementation will increase plasmalogen levels in the heart and confer benefit against heart failure.