Cardiovascular Biochemistry

The group is made up of personnel from the IR Sant Pau and the Biochemistry Department of the Sant Pau Hospital. The group's main lines of research focus on the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cardiovascular diseases, specifically those derived from alterations in lipoprotein metabolism or inflammatory processes. Our objective is to transfer the knowledge obtained from the lines of translational research to clinical application in a clinical biochemistry laboratory of a university hospital.

Main Lines of Research

Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk. (Sanchez Quesada, Jose Luis).

• Biomarkers of epicardial fat accumulation.
• Association of epicardial fat with cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes or obesity
• Assessment of new biomarkers of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease and algorithms for ruling-out acute coronary disease.
• Development of methods for point-of-care biomarker measurement.
• Biomarkers to assess atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and major adverse cardiovascular events

Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis and Stroke. (Benitez Gonzalez, Sonia)

• Mechanisms leading to lipoprotein modification, cholesterol accumulation, inflammation and apoptosis in the arterial wall.
• Analysis of the molecules secreted by the atherosclerotic plaque and their involvement in plaque vulnerability and progression.
• Qualitative properties of lipoproteins in atherosclerosis-related diseases and in stroke patients.
• Association of inflammatory and lipid-related biomarkers with future cardiovascular events in stroke patients.
• Targeting candidate molecules, such as apolipoprotein J, as therapeutic tools for preventing atherosclerosis-related diseases and stroke.

Scientific Challenges

• Determine the intracellular mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response induced by LDL(-) and the components of the particle that entail atherogenicity.
• Analyse the therapeutic potential of mimetic peptides derived from apoJ to delay the development of atherosclerosis in animal models.
• Find new markers of cardiovascular risk in diseases such as diabetes, obesity, HIV, or cardiac failure.
• Strengthen international collaborations to set up future applications for international funding and participation in multidisciplinary international research projects.

Contact

José Luís Sànchez Quesada
jsanchezq@santpau.cat