The Effects of Shift Work on Development of Cardiometabolic Heart Failure

2023 Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators

Inna Rabinovitch-Nikitin, PhD
University of Manitoba

Key Project Outcome

The outcomes of the grant focused on understanding the complex relationship between circadian rhythm disruption, cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS), and heart failure (HF), particularly in shift workers. This research highlights the heightened risk of CMS and cardiovascular disease in individuals with disrupted circadian rhythms, which is prevalent among shift workers, who make up about 30% of the workforce.

One key outcome of the grant is the identification of sex-specific differences in the prevalence and development of cardiometabolic HF, particularly in women who are more prone to developing HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The study underscores the importance of understanding how myocardial lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity contribute to the progression of heart failure, with a particular focus on how these processes may differ by sex.

Furthermore, the grant promoted the field to uncover novel genes and biological networks involved in both circadian rhythms and metabolic function, with specific focus on the gene SIRT1, which could lead to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies tailored to address cardiometabolic dysfunction in a sex-specific manner. The research also highlights the urgent need for new chronotherapies to mitigate cardiac injury in shift workers, particularly following myocardial infarction (MI). By exploring these under-researched areas, the project sets the stage for advancing clinical practices and improving outcomes for individuals affected by CMS and HF. Overall, the grant’s outcomes will provide valuable insights into circadian influences on metabolic and cardiovascular health, potentially transforming the diagnosis and treatment of cardiometabolic conditions in the future.