Nitro-oleic acid enhances mitochondrial metabolism and ameliorates heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in mice

2025 · Marion Müller, Torben Schubert, Cornelius Welke, Tibor Maske, Thomas Patschkowski, Elfi Donhauser, Jacqueline Heinen-Weiler, Felix-Levin Hormann, Sven Heiles, Tina Schulz, Luisa Lengenfelder, Lucia Landwehrjohann, Elisa Vogt, Bernd Stratmann, Jurek Hense, Simon Lüdtke, Martina Düfer, Elena Tolstik, Johann Dierks, Kristina Lorenz, Tamino Huxohl, Jan-Christian Reil, Vasco Sequeira, Francisco Schopfer, Bruce Freeman, Volker Rudolph, Uwe Schlomann, Anna Klinke · Nature Communications

Abstract

Abstract The prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasing, while treatment options are inadequate. Hypertension and obesity-related metabolic dysfunction contribute to HFpEF. Nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) impacts metabolic syndromes by improving glucose tolerance and adipocyte function. Here we show that treatment with NO2-OA ameliorates diastolic dysfunction and heart failure symptoms in a HFpEF mouse model induced by high-fat diet and inhibition of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Proteomic analysis of left ventricular tissue reveals that one-third of identified proteins, predominantly mitochondrial, are upregulated in hearts of NO2-OA-treated HFpEF mice compared to naïve and vehicle-treated HFpEF mice. Increased mitochondrial mass and numbers, and enhanced mitochondrial respiration are linked with this response, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution respirometry. Activation of the 5’-adenosine-monophosphate-activated-protein-kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway mediates the enhancement of mitochondrial dynamics in hearts of NO2-OA-treated HFpEF mice. These findings suggest that targeting mitochondrial function with NO2-OA may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for HFpEF.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Volume
16
Issue
1
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
ISSN
2041-1723