LONDON / RankWire.AI / – A compound naturally produced and associated with pomegranates has demonstrated improvements in multiple cardiac function indicators within experimental models of HFpEF. Urolithin A facilitated more effective relaxation of the heart between beats, while also decreasing fibrosis and abnormal growth of heart muscle cells. Some of the measured parameters showed enhancements reaching as high as 80% compared to untreated animal models. Researchers additionally observed positive effects in engineered human cardiac tissue, providing further laboratory evidence supporting these findings.
HFpEF, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, arises when the heart maintains normal pumping capacity but struggles to relax properly. This impairment restricts the chambers from filling with blood efficiently between beats. Patients may experience symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and diminished exercise tolerance. The condition accounts for roughly half of all heart failure cases in the United Kingdom. Urolithin A is produced when gut microbes metabolize certain compounds present in pomegranates, walnuts, and various berries, although individual production levels can vary.
The research pinpointed PKGIα, a protein crucial for the proper function of blood vessels and heart muscle relaxation, as the target of urolithin A. The compound modifies cysteine 42, a specific amino acid in the protein, thereby activating a pathway associated with cardiovascular health. Additionally, the study assessed how urolithin A influences the structural properties of heart tissue. King’s College London scientists observed improved diastolic function, decreased tissue scarring, and less enlargement of heart muscle cells in the experimental models treated with the compound.
Laboratory models showed improved cardiac relaxation after urolithin A treatment
The animal studies centered on diastolic function, which assesses the heart’s ability to relax and fill after each contraction. Treated subjects outperformed untreated controls across various parameters. The investigators also noted a reduction in fibrosis, which can cause stiffening of heart tissue and hinder filling. The reported enhancement of up to 80% applied to specific experimental metrics. It is important to clarify that this does not imply that patients would experience such an improvement, and the study did not evaluate clinical outcomes in humans.
Furthermore, urolithin A was tested on engineered human heart tissue derived from stem cells. These laboratory models permit detailed investigation of human cardiac tissue behavior. The compound improved both relaxation and contraction patterns within these samples. Prior human trials exploring urolithin A for other indications have indicated a favorable safety profile. Nonetheless, the current research on heart failure did not include human patients with HFpEF, so findings are limited to animal data and engineered tissues.
Further human studies are necessary to confirm potential benefits for heart failure
British Heart Foundation supported this research and emphasized the compound’s impact on heart relaxation during early-stage testing. The organization also clarified that these preliminary results do not constitute proof of an effective treatment for HFpEF. Researchers warned against interpreting the findings as evidence that consuming pomegranates can treat heart failure. The study specifically examined urolithin A and its biological activity, not the dietary intake of pomegranates. None of the foods tested demonstrated the ability to prevent or treat heart failure.
This research highlights PKGIα cysteine 42 as a precise biological target for HFpEF intervention and offers laboratory evidence that urolithin A can activate this pathway to enhance several markers linked to cardiac relaxation. HFpEF frequently coexists with conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. It remains a significant cause of heart failure worldwide. Clinical trials will be necessary to determine if the compound produces similar effects in human patients and whether such effects can translate into meaningful health improvements.