Researchers have explored the potential of a tricaprin supplement in managing heart conditions. A newly identified heart condition known as triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy is currently under investigation. Efforts are underway to determine the most effective strategies for addressing this condition and its outcomes.
The results of a recent study have shown that the supplement tricaprin, derived from coconut oil or MCT oil, has enhanced long-term survival rates for individuals with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy. Tricaprin has also demonstrated improved outcomes for heart failure among participants with the condition.
Experts are actively seeking optimal treatments for emerging heart conditions like triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy, which involves a disruption in triglyceride breakdown within heart cells, ultimately leading to heart failure.
A study focused on individuals with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy who were administered tricaprin. Tricaprin, a medium-chain triglyceride found in coconut oil and dairy products, is commonly used in food, cosmetics, and dietary supplements.
Participants who received tricaprin exhibited significant cardiac benefits compared to those who did not, including enhanced fat breakdown, sustained recovery from heart failure, and improvements in left ventricle function. Moreover, the group receiving tricaprin demonstrated higher overall survival rates.
These findings were reported in Nature Cardiovascular Research.
What is Triglyceride Deposit Cardiomyovasculopathy (TDCV)?
Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TDCV) is a recently identified heart condition characterized by impaired intracellular breakdown of long-chain triglycerides, leading to lipid accumulation and energy depletion in heart muscle cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. While some cases of TDCV have a genetic basis, the cause remains unknown in others.
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, an interventional cardiologist and medical director at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, not involved in the study, explained to Medical News Today that TDCV is a rare cardiovascular disorder resulting from the inefficient processing of triglycerides as an energy source by heart and blood vessel cells. This dysfunction leads to severe heart failure and coronary artery disease, with the underlying mechanisms not fully understood and treatment options limited.
The aim of the current research was to investigate the impact of tricaprin, classified as a medium-chain triglyceride, on TDCV outcomes. Previous studies on tricaprin had shown positive effects, prompting this study to assess overall survival rates in registry participants who received the supplement compared to controls who did not.
How Tricaprin Supplementation Influences the Heart
In this study, twenty-two participants received tricaprin, while 190 did not. All participants had confirmed TDCV and were diagnosed at or after the age of twenty. Those receiving tricaprin had to meet specific criteria, such as experiencing cardiac symptoms.
The study involved patients with heart issues resistant to standard treatments and set specific criteria for receiving tricaprin. The average age of participants at diagnosis was around 58 years. Tests were conducted to assess fat breakdown by heart muscle cells. Those who received tricaprin showed improved fat breakdown in the heart cells compared to baseline.
Participants also experienced benefits such as improved heart failure symptoms and recovery, as well as better left ventricle function. The tricaprin group had 100% three-year and five-year survival rates, outperforming the control group. Among participants with heart failure, the tricaprin group again had higher survival rates.
Dr. Scott C. Feitell praised the study design and results, noting improvements in heart function and patient well-being. However, the study was limited by focusing on a specific population and the effects of new heart failure drugs. Future research could address these limitations and further investigate the benefits of tricaprin.
Sensitivity analysis could be utilized to address potential oversights in the research process. Although researchers attempted to consider various factors in their analysis, there is a possibility that some relevant components were overlooked. Furthermore, this study did not incorporate participant blinding, which may have impacted the outcomes.
Participants in the study received tricaprin with support from the TGCV/Neutral Lipid Storage Disease (NLSD) Patient Association and were required to seek assistance from this association. The implementation of specific exclusion and inclusion criteria could have influenced the composition of the sample and the individuals able to participate in the study.
The Tochino Foundation partnered with Osaka University to provide the Patient Association with tricaprin at no cost. The Patient Association maintained periodic communication with the participants. Additionally, the authors disclosed various conflicts of interest that could have influenced the study outcomes.
The number of participants who received tricaprin was relatively small, suggesting that future research may benefit from larger sample sizes, potentially with a greater representation of female participants. Furthermore, the study noted that only three women in the intervention group had heart failure, raising the possibility that these findings could have been impacted.
One participant who received tricaprin passed away 5.3 years after beginning the treatment. The question arises: Can this supplement benefit all individuals with heart failure? While TGCV remains rare, the authors suggest that the results could be applicable to a broader population. They highlight the significance of triglycerides in lipid droplets, a common occurrence in individuals with heart failure. If future research confirms these findings, tricaprin may hold promise for individuals with heart failure in general.
Cardiologist Randy Gould, DO, FACC, of Manhattan Cardiology in NYC, who was not involved in the study, commented on the findings: “Tricaprin led to regression of triglyceride accumulation in the heart’s blood vessels, resulting in improved cardiac function and enhanced survival rates.” He also suggested that future studies could investigate whether tricaprin offers similar cardiovascular benefits, such as triglyceride regression, in individuals with elevated triglyceride levels but without TGCV. If these studies yield positive results, tricaprin may emerge as a potential treatment option for individuals with elevated triglycerides.
For additional details, you can refer to the original article on Medical News Today.
