By: Dr. Avi Verma, IndoUS Tribune Health Corner

In a potentially game-changing discovery, researchers in Japan have reported that a simple dietary supplement—tricaprin—may reverse a rare and treatment-resistant form of heart disease. This astonishing finding, published in the European Heart Journal, documents how two patients with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) experienced dramatic regression of arterial blockages after taking the supplement.

TGCV: A different kind of heart disease

Unlike traditional coronary artery disease (CAD), which is caused by cholesterol buildup, TGCV is driven by triglyceride deposits in the walls of coronary arteries. This condition is often resistant to conventional treatments such as statins or stents and is underdiagnosed—especially in patients with diabetes mellitus or those undergoing hemodialysis.

Dr. Ken-ichi Hirano of Osaka University, the lead author of the study, explains that TGCV is caused by defective intracellular triglyceride breakdown, leading to a dangerous buildup of fat inside vascular smooth muscle cells. “This mechanism makes TGCV distinct from classic cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis,” Dr. Hirano said.

Remarkable improvements documented through imaging

Two patients in their 60s, both with long-standing diabetes and refractory angina (chronic chest pain), began taking tricaprin, a commercially available supplement that supports fat metabolism.

To evaluate the effects, researchers used coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)—a detailed imaging tool that visualizes the coronary arteries in 3D.

Panel A: Before and after treatment

Before tricaprin: Color-coded CT scans showed extensive arterial plaque (low-attenuation yellow/orange areas), especially from the adventitial (outer) side of the left coronary artery. Narrowed vessel diameter was clearly visible.

After tricaprin: The arterial plaques were significantly reduced, and luminal dilation (widening of the arteries) was observed. Myocardial imaging also showed increased lipolysis, confirming improved fat metabolism inside heart muscle cells.

Panel B: Measurable reduction in plaque volume

Volumetric analysis from cross-sectional coronary images showed a clear reduction in fatty plaque burden. This was accompanied by increased blood flow, correlating with the patients’ reported relief from chest pain.

These findings confirm that tricaprin enhanced fat breakdown within the artery wall—a novel therapeutic mechanism distinct from cholesterol reduction.

A new direction in cardiac treatment

“This is the first report showing that coronary artery plaque can regress through enhanced intracellular lipolysis rather than cholesterol control,” said Dr. Hirano. While statins lower serum lipids, tricaprin appears to activate the breakdown of triglyceride stores within heart cells, directly addressing the root problem in TGCV.

These results suggest that for some patients—particularly those with TGCV—a new class of treatment targeting intracellular fat could complement or even replace traditional therapies.

Looking ahead: hope and caution

While the study’s findings are groundbreaking, it is important to note they involved only two patients. Further clinical trials involving more participants are needed to verify the safety and efficacy of tricaprin for widespread use.

The research team has developed diagnostic criteria for TGCV and encourages cardiologists and endocrinologists to consider this under-recognized condition in diabetic patients with persistent chest pain.

Backed by science and support

This research was supported by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan, and Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd. The study highlights the importance of looking beyond cholesterol in cardiovascular medicine—especially in patients who do not fit traditional profiles but continue to suffer.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Tricaprin is not yet approved as a treatment for any heart condition by the Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory bodies. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or treatment, especially for cardiovascular conditions.

Credit for image:

Tricaprin, a simple supplement, reversed artery-clogging fat and relieved chest pain in patients with a rare form of heart disease resistant to standard treatments. (Credit: Stock)