# The role of GLP-1 in cardiac recovery after bariatric surgery in obesity-induced heart failure

> **NIH NIH K08** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2022 · $150,874

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Obesity cardiomyopathy is an increasingly prevalent and morbid disease of myocyte dysfunction causing
heart failure due to severe obesity. Even though weight reduction through dieting fails to improve cardiac
function, obesity treatment with bariatric surgery, like a sleeve gastrectomy (SG), significantly improves cardiac
function. The inciting mechanisms for cardiac recovery after SG are poorly understood. This project will explore
the novel hypothesis that cardiac glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling results in the activation of
the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), resulting in improved cardiac
function. The applicant has found that a SG performed in obese rats significantly improved cardiac function,
independent of weight loss, associated with increased serum GLP-1, increased cardiac PPARα, and decreased
cardiac apoptosis, fibrosis and changes in substrate utilization. The specific aims of this proposal will test the
hypothesis that cardiac GLP-1R stimulation activates PPARα resulting in decreased metabolic stress-induced
apoptosis, fibrosis and increased β-oxidation and is the mechanism for cardiac recovery after SG. This award
will produce a detailed understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology, myocyte intracellular signaling
pathways, biochemistry, and cardiac function analysis needed by the applicant. Further, this proposal allows for
a rigorous training program to acquire the skills necessary to become a successful independent investigator with
the mentorship of Dr. Corbett and the advisory committee. The primary goal of this mentored career
development award is to determine the mechanisms for improved cardiac function after bariatric surgery and
produce the preliminary studies needed to achieve extramural support via investigator initiated R01 funding by
the NIH. The long-term scientific objective is to understand the mechanisms of interaction between bariatric
surgery, obesity, and heart failure and translate these findings into surgical and non-surgical metabolic
interventions. The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) provides an excellent environment for translational
cardiovascular research. MCW's Cardiovascular Center and Clinical and Translational Science Institute provide
excellent core resources and a strong collaborative environment to successfully perform the proposed studies
and develop strong independent lines of investigation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10320340
- **Project number:** 5K08HL140000-04
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Tammy Lyn Kindel
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $150,874
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-15 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10320340

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10320340, The role of GLP-1 in cardiac recovery after bariatric surgery in obesity-induced heart failure (5K08HL140000-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10320340. Licensed CC0.

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