REPURPOSING OF MESNA AS A CANDIDATE CARDIOPROTECTANT IN DIABETES

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anke Claudia Fender
• Subject Area: Pharmacology ; Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 507695524

Diabetes remains a critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease, despite advances in anti-diabetic treatment. Strategies targeting specific cytokines may compromise immune or repair functions. The organ protectant mesna is clinically established, well-tolerated and inexpensive but its ability to protect the diabetic heart is unknown. We hypothesise that mesna counteracts inflammatory signals that drive heart failure and arrythmia in diabetes, with benefits additive to the gold-standard antidiabetic agent metformin. Findings are expected to form the basis for further systematic and translational research. The major objectives of the proposed study are to: 1. establish the cardioprotective action of mesna on top of metformin therapy in vivo; 2. dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms of mesna alone and with metformin; 3. validate mesna as a feasible therapeutic approach in the context of clinical diabetes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants