Coronary Arteriosclerosis, Myocardial Infarction
Conditions
Brief summary
The study tests if intense light could be a potential therapy in humans after myocardial infarction by inducing Per2.
Detailed description
Damage to the heart caused by a myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs most often during the early morning hours (6AM). Thus, the involvement of the circadian system (circa= approximately day) has been suggested. The circadian system in humans or animals is based on the rotation of the earth with day and night phases. When humans (or animals) wake up light shines in their eyes and the body receives a signal that the day starts. For the human body it means that certain proteins (named clock, period etc) are produced. The protein that determines the length of a day (awake and sleep period) is called Period 2 (Per2). Recent data indicated that the Per2 protein in hearts from mice is induced after daylight exposure (daylight with an intensity comparable to a bright day at the beach was used, approx. 10 000 LUX). This more Per2 was able to protect the heart from being damaged by no blood going to the heart (protection from a heart attack). This protection was based on a more efficient use of sugars (carbohydrates). Thereby the heart needs less oxygen. Current data indicate that human Per2 is also induced by light exposure and can be detected in human plasma samples. In this study Per2 transcript and protein levels will be analyzed in patients that just experienced a heart attack with and without intense light (daylight) therapy utilizing blood samples (erythrocytes and leukocytes).
Interventions
OTHERDay Light
Patients are exposed to day light for 2 weeks after a heart attack. At the end of 2 weeks they will have blood drawn.
OTHERRoom Light
Patients will be exposed to only room or natural light for 2 weeks after heart attack. At the end of 2 weeks they will have blood drawn.
Sponsors
University of Colorado, Denver
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with an acute myocardial infarction * Healthy volunteers * Must speak and understand English
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with an acute myocardial infarction but are too sick, e.g. severe symptoms, chest pain, generally unstable, etc.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Period 2 (Per2) protein levels | 2 weeks | Measure of Per2 protein levels related to daylight exposure vs. room light exposure after 2 weeks. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed