Inhibition of an enzyme that promotes inflammation may reduce cardiovascular risk in obese people
A research team led by Dr Martin Mollenhauer, Heart Center at University Hospital Cologne and researcher at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC, University of Cologne), has investigated the link between obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease in greater detail. The researchers have discovered that in obese patients and in mouse models, increased levels of the oxidative enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) are associated with poorer vascular function. The results of the research have been published under the title ‘Myeloperoxidase impacts vascular function by altering perivascular adipocytes’ secretome and phenotype in obesity’ in Cell Reports Medicine (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666379125001600).
In people suffering from obesity, MPO is active in a particular form of fatty tissue surrounding the aorta. This fatty tissue is called perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). MPO promotes inflammatory processes in PVAT and at the same time inhibits protective mechanisms that normally keep the blood vessels elastic and healthy.
In order to obtain a more precise understanding of the underlying mechanism, the effects of the absence of MPO were investigated in small animal models. “Interestingly, mice without MPO exhibited better vascular function, fewer signs of inflammation within the PVAT and a conversion of fatty tissue into a more active, energy-consuming form. In addition, there was an increase in the release of the hormone adiponectin, which protects the blood vessels,” explains Martin Mollenhauer.
The results suggest that targeted inhibition of MPO may be a promising new therapeutic approach for people with obesity and increased cardiovascular risk. However, further studies must be carried out before this type of obesity therapy can be applied.
Original publication
Alexander Hof, Max Landerer, Philipp Peitsmeyer, Ronja Herzog, Jens Alber, Maysam Ahdab, Felix Sebastian Nettersheim, Dennis Mehrkens, Simon Geißen, Simon Braumann, Henning Guthoff, Philipp von Stein, Harshal Nemade, Felix Simon Ruben Picard, Ramona Braun, Friedrich Felix Hoyer, Jens Claus Brüning, Alexander Pfeifer, Staffan Hildebrand, Holger Winkels, Stephan Baldus, Matti Adam, Jasper Schäkel, Martin Mollenhauer - Myeloperoxidase impacts vascular function by altering perivascular adipocytes’ secretome and phenotype in obesity, Cell Reports Medicine, 2025, 102087, ISSN 2666-3791, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102087
Scientific contact
PD Dr Martin Mollenhauer
martin.mollenhauer[at]uk-koeln.de
This message has been modified by the CMMC (K. Heber & D. Grosskopf-Kroiher) and is based on the text provided by the press and communications team of the University of Cologne (Mathias Martin, original version here).