PhD student Amanda Greenwell’s research aims to help with the development of novel therapeutic approaches for individuals with diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Amanda Greenwell. Photo supplied.

Amanda Greenwell is in her fifth year of a PhD program through the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta. Her research investigates alterations in myocardial ketone body oxidation and its potential as a therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy. We spoke with Amanda during Diabetes Awareness Month to learn more.

Please tell us about your diabetes research.
Individuals with diabetes are at a significant risk of developing a myriad of debilitating cardiovascular complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Although the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy is multifactorial, perturbation of cardiac energy metabolism is a key contributing mechanism. 

The heart demonstrates a unique capability to metabolize a variety of substrates for energy, including fatty acids, carbohydrates, ketone bodies and amino acids, and disturbances in this metabolic flexibility can precipitate cardiac dysfunction. The role of altered cardiac carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in the impairment of myocardial energy efficiency and energy production in diabetic cardiomyopathy is well established. However, Therapies specifically designed to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy or diabetes-related heart failure are exceptionally limited. Therefore, the findings of this project will assist in the investigation towards the development of novel therapeutic approaches for individuals with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Determination of how cardiac ketone body oxidation is altered in diabetes and whether these potential alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy remains to be thoroughly investigated. As such, investigating alterations in myocardial ketone body oxidation and its potential as a therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy are the primary aims of our research. 

Please tell us about the impact your diabetes research will have in treating or building in the knowledgebase for diabetes.
Given that individuals with diabetes are at a significant risk of developing cardiovascular disease, there is a critical demand for anti-diabetic treatments that also improve cardiovascular outcomes. 

What inspired you to choose diabetes as a research stream?
Nearly 537 million people are currently living with diabetes worldwide. It is incredibly motivating and inspiring to be able to work in a field that has the potential to help so many individuals and their families.

What difference do you want to make or see in diabetes research in the next 10 years?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in individuals with diabetes. However, despite the significant association between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy remain largely unresolved. Within the next 10 years, I hope that these contributing mechanisms can be delineated and that new therapeutic targets can be identified.