Press & Related Science
“The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway”
This is the seminal paper that led to Dr. Julius' Noble Prize. He and his colleagues describe the original TRPV channel (TRPV1) as the mediator of pain and spicy perception.
– Nature
“Novel role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 in the regulation of cardiac performance”
In this early paper, Dr. Rubinstein and colleagues describe the TRPV2 channel in the heart. Through a series of cell and animal experiments in this and related papers they describe how activating the TRPV2 channel in heart tissue can increase the function of the heart.
– APS
“Transient receptor potential channels in cardiac health and disease”
As the TRP channel field grew over the 2010's, a review of all the potential effects on heart and vascular function was needed. Guinamard and colleagues from Caen, France reviewed all the relevant literature in the field in order to help researchers "identify the best candidates for new therapeutic targets among the cardiac TRP family".
– Nature
“The History and Future of Probenecid”
In this early paper, the Rubinstein laboratory lays out the history of probenecid, from development for increasing serum levels of penicillin in the second world war to its uses as a masking agent in Olympic events all the way to its potential use as a treatment for heart failure.
- Cariovascular Toxicology
“Probenecid treatment improves outcomes in a novel mouse model of peripartum cardiomyopathy”
Probenecid was tested in healthy animals as well as those with conditions that mimic human diseases such as heart attacks and in this case heart dysfunction secondary to pregnancy. In all these cases the researchers found that probenecid treatment, both acutely and chronically improved cardiac function and survival in these animals.
-PLOS One
Since probenecid was previously approved for other diseases, the Rubinstein laboratory in conjunction with the Heart Failure Center of the University of Cincinnati tested it in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) finding that the function improved as did symptoms without any safety signal.
- JAHA
“Cardiovascular Risks of Probenecid Versus Allopurinol in Older Patients With Gout”
Dr. Kim' and colleagues reviewed nearly 40,000 patients that were prescribed probenecid or a different gout drug (allopurinol) and found that those treated with probenecid had significantly better survival and better cardiac outcomes including less risk of being hospitalized for heart failure.
- JACC
“Probenecid: An Oral Inotrope for End-Stage Heart Failure in a Case With Myotonic Dystrophy”
Dr. Strande and colleagues tested the use of probenecid on a patient with end stage heart failure that was dependent on IV therapy. They describe how probenecid was able to improve function and the patient was able to be taken off IV therapy.
-JACC
“Drug repurposing for cardiovascular diseases: New targets and indications for probenecid”
-British Journal of Pharmacology
One of the latest publications (from collaborators in Hungary and co-written by one of our team members) in the field explores the crossover between TRPV channels and other related targets such as pannexin-1 (which among other modulates the inflammatory response) with a particular focus on the potential beneficial effects on patients with cardiovascular diseases.