Grant: DRA: Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards - Doctoral

"Heart failure affects about 750,000 Canadians and is a leading cause of hospitalization, costing more than one billion dollars annually. During menopause, women face a higher risk of developing cardiac hypertrophy, an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle that often precedes heart failure. This increased risk is linked to the permanent loss of protective ovarian hormones; however, the biological mechanisms underlying this change remain poorly understood. Our research focuses on how menopause alters specific heart enzymes known as cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. These enzymes help process a natural fat in the body called arachidonic acid. When metabolized, arachidonic acid produces molecules that can either protect the heart or contribute to damage. Some of these molecules, called epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, help relax blood vessels and reduce inflammation, while others, known as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, can promote inflammation, blood vessel constriction, and heart muscle thickening. We hypothesize that menopause shifts this balance by reducing protective molecules and increasing harmful ones, thereby increasing the risk of cardiac hypertrophy. To test this hypothesis, we will study animal models that mimic menopause and examine human heart tissue samples. We will measure changes in enzyme levels and in the production of these protective and harmful molecules. We will also test specific molecules to determine which ones promote or prevent heart muscle thickening. Ultimately, this research aims to identify new heart-protective treatments that target these metabolic pathways. Such therapies could offer safer alternatives to traditional hormone replacement therapy, helping to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women without increasing cancer risk. "