Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. announced positive study results from one of its international collaborating research centers demonstrating that subcutaneously administered cannabidiol, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Cardiol's novel CRD-38 subcutaneous (SUBQ) formulation, slowed increases in body weight and heart weight, and prevented increases in key cardiac inflammatory and remodelling markers in a model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The study was presented by researchers from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico (TecSalud) at the Heart Failure Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 (HFSA2023). The poster entitled Cannabidiol As A Potential Treatment For Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction was presented on October 7, 2023 within the ePoster Viewing Session III of HFSA2023.

This work was performed using a model of HFpEF that is induced using a combination of high-fat diet and hypertension that leads to an increase in heart weight to tibia length ratio, and an increase in markers for inflammation and cardiac remodeling. Cannabidiol administered SUBQ was associated with significantly lower BNP (a cardiac stress marker raised in heart failure patients), IL-10 (a promotor of fibrosis in HFpEF), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio. The ratio of VAT/SAT holds critical significance in the context of heart failure.

Visceral adipose tissue, the fatty tissue stored around internal organs, is metabolically active and releases inflammatory factors contributing to systemic inflammation. In contrast, subcutaneous adipose tissue, found beneath the skin, has a less detrimental impact. An imbalance in this ratio with excessive visceral adipose tissue is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure.

Visceral fat accumulation increases cardiac strain, promotes hypertension, and dysregulates lipid metabolism. Additionally, it can lead to obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes. Managing this ratio could play an important role in preventing and treating heart failure.

Together these new findings expand the understanding of the cardioprotective effects of CRD-38 and suggest new therapeutic potential in HFpEF.