Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded October 19, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like sarcomere and intensive care unit. Key takeaway: Targeting MTSS1 Improves DCM Contractility.
Article Links:
Article 1: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5′ phosphate) antagonizes carotid body P2X3 receptors in hypertension. (Cardiovascular research)
Article 2: Peptide Deformylase Regulates Aldosterone Production Through Calbindin 1. (Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979))
Article 3: Reduced Expression of MTSS1 Increases Sarcomere Number and Improves Contractility in Select Forms of Monogenic DCM. (JACC. Basic to translational science)
Article 4: Fostering Psychological Safety and Resilience in the ICU: Implementing Structured Peer Support. (European heart journal. Acute cardiovascular care)
Article 5: Targeting the Association between Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference and Subclinical Organ Damage: Findings from the Pamela Study. (American journal of hypertension)
Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/targeting-mtss1-improves-dcm-contractility-10-19-25/
Featured Articles
Article 1: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5′ phosphate) antagonizes carotid body P2X3 receptors in hypertension.
Journal: Cardiovascular research
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41094718
Summary: This study investigated if pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (P.L.P.), the active form of vitamin B6, could treat hypertension by antagonizing P2X3 receptors in carotid bodies. Using a multipronged approach, researchers found that P.L.P. inhibited P2X3 receptor activity in Spontaneously Hypertensive rats (S.H.R.). This antagonism can attenuate carotid body hyperexcitability, which underlies chemoreflex-mediated sympathetic overactivity in hypertension. These findings suggest P.L.P. is a potential therapeutic agent for hypertension by specifically targeting carotid body P2X3 receptors.
Article 2: Peptide Deformylase Regulates Aldosterone Production Through Calbindin 1.
Journal: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41104452
Summary: This research aimed to clarify the role of peptide deformylase in aldosterone overproduction, particularly in aldosterone-producing adenoma. Investigators validated that peptide deformylase expression was significantly upregulated in enlarged aldosterone-producing adenomas. The study discovered that peptide deformylase regulates aldosterone production through calbindin 1, revealing a novel molecular mechanism. This finding advances the understanding of primary aldosteronism pathophysiology and identifies peptide deformylase as a potential new therapeutic target for aldosterone overproduction.
Article 3: Reduced Expression of MTSS1 Increases Sarcomere Number and Improves Contractility in Select Forms of Monogenic DCM.
Journal: JACC. Basic to translational science
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41108838
Summary: This study explored the impact of M.T.S.S.1 protein expression on heart failure and contractility in dilated cardiomyopathy (D.C.M.). Human genetic analyses revealed that a variant lowering cardiac M.T.S.S.1 expression was linked to significantly improved survival in individuals with T.T.N. dilated cardiomyopathy. Experimental knockdown of M.T.S.S.1 via small interfering R.N.A. (s.i.R.N.A.) in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes improved sarcomere number and contractility in models of T.T.N., C.S.R.P.3, and R.B.M.20 related D.C.M. These results indicate that targeting M.T.S.S.1 expression offers a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance cardiac function and survival in specific monogenic forms of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Article 4: Fostering Psychological Safety and Resilience in the ICU: Implementing Structured Peer Support.
Journal: European heart journal. Acute cardiovascular care
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41094715
Summary: This review outlines foundational pillars for establishing structured peer support programs to enhance psychological safety and resilience among intensive care unit (I.C.U.) professionals. The review establishes that these programs, delivered by trained colleagues, offer a low-threshold and scalable intervention for addressing psychological distress, moral injury, and burnout in the I.C.U. environment. It details five key components crucial for successful program implementation. Such interventions are vital for improving individual well-being, fostering better team dynamics, and ultimately enhancing patient safety within the intensive care unit.
Article 5: Targeting the Association between Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference and Subclinical Organ Damage: Findings from the Pamela Study.
Journal: American journal of hypertension
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41099834
Summary: This research investigated the connection between inter-arm blood pressure (B.P.) difference and subclinical cardiac and vascular damage within a community-based population. The Pressioni Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (P.A.M.E.L.A.) study included 527 participants assessed after 25 years. The findings established a clear association between a significant inter-arm B.P. difference and the presence of subclinical cardiac and vascular damage. This suggests that detecting an inter-arm B.P. difference during routine measurements can serve as an early indicator for subclinical organ damage, potentially guiding earlier diagnostic evaluation and preventative strategies.
Transcript
Today’s date is October 19, 2025. Welcome to Cardiology Today. Here are the latest research findings.
Article number one. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5′ phosphate) antagonizes carotid body P2X3 receptors in hypertension. This study investigated if pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (P.L.P.), the active form of vitamin B6, could treat hypertension by antagonizing P2X3 receptors in carotid bodies. Using a multipronged approach, researchers found that P.L.P. inhibited P2X3 receptor activity in Spontaneously Hypertensive rats (S.H.R.). This antagonism can attenuate carotid body hyperexcitability, which underlies chemoreflex-mediated sympathetic overactivity in hypertension. These findings suggest P.L.P. is a potential therapeutic agent for hypertension by specifically targeting carotid body P2X3 receptors.
Article number two. Peptide Deformylase Regulates Aldosterone Production Through Calbindin 1. This research aimed to clarify the role of peptide deformylase in aldosterone overproduction, particularly in aldosterone-producing adenoma. Investigators validated that peptide deformylase expression was significantly upregulated in enlarged aldosterone-producing adenomas. The study discovered that peptide deformylase regulates aldosterone production through calbindin 1, revealing a novel molecular mechanism. This finding advances the understanding of primary aldosteronism pathophysiology and identifies peptide deformylase as a potential new therapeutic target for aldosterone overproduction.
Article number three. Reduced Expression of MTSS1 Increases Sarcomere Number and Improves Contractility in Select Forms of Monogenic DCM. This study explored the impact of M.T.S.S.1 protein expression on heart failure and contractility in dilated cardiomyopathy (D.C.M.). Human genetic analyses revealed that a variant lowering cardiac M.T.S.S.1 expression was linked to significantly improved survival in individuals with T.T.N. dilated cardiomyopathy. Experimental knockdown of M.T.S.S.1 via small interfering R.N.A. (s.i.R.N.A.) in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes improved sarcomere number and contractility in models of T.T.N., C.S.R.P.3, and R.B.M.20 related D.C.M. These results indicate that targeting M.T.S.S.1 expression offers a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance cardiac function and survival in specific monogenic forms of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Article number four. Fostering Psychological Safety and Resilience in the ICU: Implementing Structured Peer Support. This review outlines foundational pillars for establishing structured peer support programs to enhance psychological safety and resilience among intensive care unit (I.C.U.) professionals. The review establishes that these programs, delivered by trained colleagues, offer a low-threshold and scalable intervention for addressing psychological distress, moral injury, and burnout in the I.C.U. environment. It details five key components crucial for successful program implementation. Such interventions are vital for improving individual well-being, fostering better team dynamics, and ultimately enhancing patient safety within the intensive care unit.
Article number five. Targeting the Association between Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference and Subclinical Organ Damage: Findings from the Pamela Study. This research investigated the connection between inter-arm blood pressure (B.P.) difference and subclinical cardiac and vascular damage within a community-based population. The Pressioni Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (P.A.M.E.L.A.) study included 527 participants assessed after 25 years. The findings established a clear association between a significant inter-arm B.P. difference and the presence of subclinical cardiac and vascular damage. This suggests that detecting an inter-arm B.P. difference during routine measurements can serve as an early indicator for subclinical organ damage, potentially guiding earlier diagnostic evaluation and preventative strategies.
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Keywords
sarcomere, intensive care unit, burnout, sympathetic overactivity, vascular damage, primary aldosteronism, dilated cardiomyopathy, pyridoxal 5′ phosphate, psychological safety, peer support, P2X3 receptors, cardiac damage, aldosterone-producing adenoma, T.T.N., carotid body, aldosterone, cardiac contractility, P.A.M.E.L.A. study, hypertension, calbindin 1, peptide deformylase, M.T.S.S.1, inter-arm blood pressure difference, moral injury, subclinical organ damage.
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