Effcets of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiac rhythm and electrical remodeling

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11636
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Morishima Masaki 近畿大学, 農学部, 准教授 (40437934)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: エイコサペンタエン酸 / 心筋電気的リモデリング / 健康増進 / L型カルシウムチャネル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cardiovascular benefits of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been actively investigated for many years, although the mechanisms for these potential benefits on cardiac rhythm are complex and not well defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of EPA on cardiomyocyte focusing on the L-type Ca2+ channel and a transcription factor CREB. EPA displayed a reduction of spontaneous beating rate, L-type Ca2+ current, mRNA, and protein expressions of the Cav1.2-L-type Ca2+ channel in mice cardiomyocytes caused by a mixture of oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA) or OAPA. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed a distinct downregulation of the Cav1.2 channel by OAPA with a concomitant decrease in the phosphorylated component of CREB in the nucleus, which was also rescued by EPA.These results suggest that EPA rescues Ca2+ overload caused by OAPA lipotoxicity through the CREB/Cav1.2-mediated pathways.

Free Research Field

公衆栄養学、病態生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、EPAが心筋細胞のL型Ca2+チャネルに作用し高脂肪負荷による心筋障害を軽減させるという新しい知見が得られたことから、EPAの心筋直接作用が明らかとなった。これまでに経験的に得られていたEPAの有効性を実験的に証明したことで、科学的根拠に基づいたEPAの栄養機能性の理解とその利用の啓発を目指したい。本研究により、生活習慣病の重症化によるAFの発症を阻止するための新しい医療用サプリメントの開発、そしてEPAの栄養機能性を活用したオーダーメイドな食事提供による健康寿命の延伸に貢献できると考えられる。