A recent study has shed light on a promising treatment for individuals suffering from Triglyceride Deposit Cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV), a rare cardiovascular disorder. Conducted primarily among the Japanese population, the research explored the effects of tricaprin, a natural supplement, on patients diagnosed with TGCV. The study revealed that tricaprin significantly improved heart failure outcomes, offering a glimmer of hope for those afflicted by this condition. Researchers compared 22 participants who received tricaprin against 190 who did not, observing remarkable survival rates over three and five years.
TGCV is characterized by the inability of heart and blood vessel cells to process triglycerides efficiently as an energy source, leading to severe heart failure and coronary artery disease. The study highlighted that those receiving tricaprin achieved a 100% survival rate after three and five years, while the control group reported survival rates of 76.8% and 64.8%, respectively. Dr. Cheng-Han Chen explained the complexity of TGCV, emphasizing the lack of effective treatment options available for this condition.
“Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is a rare cardiovascular disorder in which the body’s heart and blood vessel cells are not able to properly process triglycerides as an energy source. This then causes heart muscle and coronary artery dysfunction, resulting in severe heart failure and coronary artery disease. The condition is not entirely understood, and effective treatment options have been lacking.” – Cheng-Han Chen, MD
The study excluded participants at stage four heart failure (NYHA 4), as none of those receiving tricaprin were at this advanced stage. All participants had confirmed TGCV diagnoses after the age of twenty. Notably, the results showed that tricaprin also improved heart failure outcomes among intervention participants who had heart failure. However, only three women in the intervention group had heart failure, potentially influencing these findings.
The collaboration between the Tochino Foundation and Osaka University facilitated this groundbreaking research by providing tricaprin to participants without charge. The study's authors noted that while the results are promising, it remains uncertain how other newly developed drugs for heart failure might affect TGCV patients.
“This was a very well-designed trial with an excellent analysis done for a small patient population with a rare disease. Based on prior research, the team in this trial extended their proposed treatment model to a larger patient population, compared it to an untreated control arm, and followed patients for a longer period of time. They were able to not only demonstrate marked improvement in ejection fraction by echocardiography once patients received treatment, but they also used a novel radiotracer (I-123 BMIPP) to demonstrate enhanced lipid metabolism in patients on treatment. Most importantly patients felt better and had improved functional class.” – Scott C. Feitell, DO, FACC, FHFSA
One noteworthy aspect of the study was its innovative use of the novel radiotracer I-123 BMIPP to demonstrate enhanced lipid metabolism in patients undergoing treatment with tricaprin. This methodological approach provided valuable insights into how tricaprin may alter lipid processing in the body, potentially contributing to improved heart function.
Despite these encouraging results, some factors could have introduced bias into the study. The timing between TGCV diagnosis and the initiation of tricaprin treatment varied among participants, which might affect the overall survival data. Furthermore, one participant who received tricaprin passed away 5.3 years after beginning treatment, underscoring the need for continued research into long-term outcomes.
The implications of this study extend beyond those with TGCV. Dr. Scott C. Feitell emphasized the potential for tricaprin to be evaluated as a treatment option for individuals with elevated triglyceride levels who do not have TGCV. The prospect of expanding treatment options for this broader population offers hope for advancements in cardiovascular care.
“The potential clinical effects of this data is to design future studies to determine if ticarpin has similar cardiovascular effects (TG [triglyceride] regression) in patients with elevated triglyceride levels, but do not have TGCV. If the results show improvement as well, then ticarpin may be an additional treatment option for patients with elevated triglycerides,” – Scott C. Feitell, DO, FACC, FHFSA
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