The secret to maintaining a healthier and “younger” heart may lie in the vagus nerve, according to groundbreaking research from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. Published in Science Translational Medicine, the study reveals that preserving bilateral cardiac vagal innervation acts as a significant anti-aging factor. Notably, the right cardiac vagus nerve stands out as a crucial protector of cardiomyocyte health, promoting heart longevity independently of heart rate.
This research, characterized by its multidisciplinary approach, integrates experimental medicine and bioengineering within cardiovascular studies. Led by the Translational Critical Care Unit (TrancriLab) of the Interdisciplinary Research Center Health Science under Professor Vincenzo Lionetti, and the Biorobotics Institute laboratory headed by Professor Silvestro Micera, the study developed a bioabsorbable nerve conduit to aid vagal regeneration.
Innovative Bioengineering Approaches
The experimental work was conducted in Pisa, supported by European FET (Future and Emerging Technologies) funding through the NeuHeart project, alongside PNRR funds from the Tuscany Health Ecosystem. The study’s collaborative nature involved a network of prestigious Italian and international institutions, including the Scuola Normale Superiore, the University of Pisa, and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, among others.
‘When the integrity of the connection to the vagus nerve is lost, the heart ages more rapidly,’ explains Professor Lionetti. ‘Even partial restoration of the connection between the right vagus nerve and the heart is sufficient to counteract the mechanisms of remodelling and preserve effective cardiac contractility,’ adds Anar Dushpanova, cardiologist at TrancriLab.
Implications for Cardiac Surgery
The contribution of bioengineering to this research was pivotal. Eugenio Redolfi Riva, co-author of the neuroprosthesis patent at the Biorobotics Institute, explains, ‘We have developed an implantable bioabsorbable nerve conduit designed to promote and guide the spontaneous regeneration of the thoracic vagus nerve at the cardiac level.’
This development suggests potential shifts in cardiothoracic and transplant surgery practices. Professor Lionetti concludes, ‘Taken together, these results open new perspectives for cardiothoracic and transplant surgery, suggesting that restoring cardiac vagal innervation at the time of surgery may represent an innovative strategy for long-term heart protection, shifting the clinical paradigm from managing late complications associated with premature cardiac ageing to their prevention.’
Future Directions and Clinical Applications
The findings from this study could revolutionize how heart health is approached, particularly in surgical contexts. By focusing on the restoration of cardiac vagal innervation, medical professionals may be able to prevent the onset of age-related cardiac complications rather than merely managing them post-occurrence.
As research continues to unfold, the integration of bioengineering solutions like the bioabsorbable nerve conduit could become a standard practice in heart surgeries. This approach not only promises to enhance patient outcomes but also to extend the functional life of the heart, offering a proactive strategy in cardiac care.
Meanwhile, the study’s success highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in medical research, paving the way for further innovations in the field of cardiovascular health.
