Opioid-Mediated Myocardial Adaptation to Stress
Donna M. Van Winkle, Ph.D. – Principal Investigator

Overall, heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women.  In 2000, 1 out of every 5 deaths resulted from ischemic heart disease.  Women have a lower incidence of ischemic heart disease in their younger years compared to men; however, this trend reverses after 75 years of age. 

We have previously demonstrated that myocardium can be made temporarily tolerant to ischemia, or “preconditioned”, either by short periods of myocardial ischemia or by certain drugs such as opioid agonists.  Past studies on preconditioning have been largely limited to males.  Our current research examines the mechanisms of acquired ischemic tolerance in both males and females, with particular reference to opioid-induced preconditioning.  In particular, we are investigating the role of the opioid peptide Met⁵-enkephalin in ischemic cardioprotection and whether the mechanisms of this protection are gender-specific. 

This research is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.