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King's College London heart failure research

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2026-10-04 14:58 UTC → 2026-10-12 12:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Researchers at King’s College London have identified urolithin A, a compound produced by the body after digesting fruits such as pomegranate, walnut, and blackberry, as a potential treatment for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Studies involving mice and bioengineered human heart tissue derived from stem cells indicated that the compound could improve certain heart function indicators by up to 80%. The mechanism appears to involve the activation of the PKGIα protein, which helps reduce tissue stiffness, prevent uncontrolled heart muscle cell growth, and improve the heart’s ability to relax between beats. Recent findings published in the journal Science Advances detail that in animal models, urolithin A helped reduce cardiac scarring and decrease internal heart pressure, which can lead to fluid accumulation and organ enlargement. In human laboratory tests using stem cell-derived cardiac tissue, the compound allowed the heart muscle to contract and relax more rapidly. Beyond these cardiac-specific benefits, pomegranates are noted for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive properties. While the research, supported by the British Heart Foundation, suggests the possibility of developing a new generation of urolithin A-based drugs, scientists cautioned that pomegranate consumption alone is not a treatment. Further clinical trials on human patients are required to confirm these ~~findings.~~ findings, and the British Heart Foundation emphasized that a balanced diet remains a primary method for supporting cardiovascular health.

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