LONDON / RankWire.AI / – In recent experimental studies conducted in London, a naturally occurring compound associated with pomegranates has demonstrated notable improvements in several cardiac function indicators for HFpEF. The compound, urolithin A, was observed to facilitate more effective heart relaxation between beats. Additionally, it contributed to a reduction in fibrosis and prevented abnormal enlargement of heart muscle cells. Some metrics showed enhancement by as much as 80% in comparison to untreated animal models. Researchers also documented positive effects in engineered human cardiac tissue, adding further laboratory evidence to support these findings.
HFpEF, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, occurs when the heart’s pumping capacity remains intact but its ability to relax is compromised. This impairs the filling of the chambers with blood between beats, often leading to symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and decreased exercise tolerance. The condition accounts for roughly fifty percent of heart failure cases in the United Kingdom. Urolithin A is produced when gut microbes metabolize certain substances found in pomegranates, walnuts, and various berries, although its production varies among individuals.
The researchers identified PKGIα, a protein essential for normal blood vessel function and cardiac relaxation, as a key target. Urolithin A was found to modify a specific site on this protein, cysteine 42, which activated a pathway linked to cardiovascular health. The study also assessed the impact of the compound on cardiac tissue structure. King’s College London researchers reported enhancements in diastolic function, less tissue scarring, and decreased enlargement of heart muscle cells in the experimental models treated with urolithin A.
Laboratory models show urolithin A boosts heart relaxation
The animal studies primarily focused on diastolic function, which assesses how effectively the heart relaxes and fills after each contraction. Treated models exhibited superior performance across multiple measures compared to untreated controls. The team also noted reduced fibrosis levels, which can stiffen heart tissue and hinder filling. The reported improvement of up to 80% pertained to specific experimental parameters, and it does not imply that patients would experience an equivalent benefit. The research did not involve human clinical trials.
Furthermore, the scientists tested urolithin A on engineered human cardiac tissue derived from stem cells. These laboratory models allow detailed study of human heart tissue behavior under controlled conditions. The compound enhanced both relaxation and contraction patterns within these samples. Previous human studies involving urolithin A for other applications have shown a favorable safety profile. However, this new research on heart failure has not yet involved human participants with HFpEF, so conclusions are limited to animal models and lab-grown tissues.
Further human research is necessary to verify effects on heart failure
British Heart Foundation sponsored the study and emphasized the compound’s influence on heart relaxation during early testing phases. The organization clarified that these findings do not constitute a treatment for HFpEF. Researchers also warned against interpreting the results as evidence that consuming pomegranates can cure heart failure. The study specifically examined urolithin A and its biological activity, not dietary intake of pomegranates. No foods tested in this research demonstrated the ability to prevent or treat heart failure.
This research highlights PKGIα cysteine 42 as a precise biological target in HFpEF investigations. It also provides laboratory proof that urolithin A activates that pathway and enhances several markers associated with cardiac relaxation. HFpEF frequently coexists with hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, maintaining its status as a significant global heart failure subtype. To determine if these laboratory findings translate into real-world benefits, clinical trials will be essential to evaluate whether the compound exerts similar effects in patients and if such effects lead to measurable health improvements.