The Role of Sphingolipids in Myocardial Recovery Mediated by Mechanical Unloading and Circulatory Support

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Myocardial recovery after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is a critical phenomenon that allows advanced heart failure patients to retain their native heart. We quantified targeted sphingolipids in serum and cardiac tissue of patients who exhibited recovery post-LVAD. Our analysis revealed sustained elevated circulating ceramides levels in nonresponders post-LVAD, whereas responders showed reduced sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels. In contrast, cardiac tissue from nonresponders displayed increased S1P levels. We suggest that diminished ceramide and S1P may contribute to an increased likelihood of recovery after LVAD support. Collectively, our findings implicate the sphingolipid metabolic pathway as a potential therapeutic target to promote myocardial recovery after mechanical support.

Source: JACC Basic to Translational Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2025.101435

Institutions: University of Utah, University of Utah Health Care, George E. Wahlen Department of VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,750

Funders: Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Awards: Liver-islet and intra-islet cross talk in alpha cell hyperplasia and beta cell regeneration, Ceramides in Diastolic Heart Failure, Metabolite Transport Modulation to Mitigate Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury, Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases

OpenAlex ID: W4417486139