By Grace Lim

The SingHealth Publish! Award recognises researchers who have published high quality articles in prestigious scientific or medical journals globally. NHCS is proud of our aspiring scientists – Asst Prof Lim Wei Wen, Senior Research Fellow from National Heart Research Institute (NHRIS) and Dr Wong Jie Jun, Senior Resident from Cardiology – for receiving this accolade, a testament to their significant contributions to cardiovascular research.

The questions they seek to answer

Asst Prof Lim’s paper, ‘Inhibition of IL-11 Signalling Extends Mammalian Healthspan and Lifespan’, discovered that the protein Interleukin-11 (IL-11) played a key role in aging-related dysfunction across organs like muscles, liver, and fat tissues. Consequently, blocking IL-11 in aged mice reduced inflammation, improved healthspan, and extended lifespan by over 20%, showing promise for treating age-associated conditions in humans including cardiovascular decline.

In Dr Wong’s study, he discovered the positive impact of exercise on cellular processes related to age-related heart decline and future heart diseases. In his paper, ‘Effects of Short-term Moderate Intensity on the Serum Metabolome in Older Adults: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial’, it was highlighted that 12 weeks of consistent moderate exercise led to improvements in the body’s energy and metabolic pathways, which were linked to healthy heart aging.

CardioConnect speaks to our promising researchers as they share the impact of their findings in healthcare, how they stay motivated, and tips for a healthier tomorrow!

What inspired you to focus on your respective area of research?

Asst Prof Lim: In 2017, we discovered that IL-11 played a major role in heart scarring. Building on that, we’ve been studying anti-IL-11 therapy to reduce age-related inflammation, heart issues, and organ decline. This is especially relevant due to the rise of aging related conditions globally.

Dr Wong: Past research showed that cardiac aging and heart failure share similar changes at the cellular level. Additionally, it was also found that exercise can slow or even help reverse early signs of heart aging. To better understand how the heart ages and why heart failure happens, this study examines the impact of exercise on key biological markers linked to heart health in healthy older adults.

How can your findings help doctors provide better care for patients?

Asst Prof Lim: By understanding the role of IL-11 in aging and organ decline, we hope to translate our findings into biomarkers to detect and treat age-related problems earlier. These insights may help doctors take a more proactive and personalised approach to improving long-health outcomes in patients.

Dr Wong: Our study on moderate exercise shows a biological basis to health guidelines which recommend both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities to older adults. By explaining how exercise can modify metabolic pathways instead of dispensing general advice to exercise more, doctors will be in a better position to motivate patients to stay active.

From your findings, what tips can patients take away to live a healthier life?

Asst Prof Lim: One clear takeaway from this study is that chronic inflammation plays a big part in age-related diseases. Patients can support healthier aging by adopting habits that reduce inflammation, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, good sleep, and stress management.

Dr Wong: As our study has shown, a consistent exercise routine makes all the difference! Adults, including older individuals, should aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (e.g. running) weekly, and strength training for all major muscle groups at least twice weekly.

Research can be a long and challenging journey.  What keeps you motivated?

Asst Prof Lim: Seeing how each discovery brings us closer to developing new therapies for patients, coupled with working alongside dedicated colleagues, has deeply encouraged me to continue moving towards our goal.

Dr Wong: For this study, my main motivator was to better understand cardiac aging, a common health issue. The potential of exercise as a highly effective, non-pharmacological strategy to slow heart aging and ultimately heart failure, kept me going despite the challenges.

Finally, any tips for aspiring researchers?

Asst Prof Lim: Research is rarely a solo endeavour – seek out peers, mentors, and collaborators who challenge and support you, and help others in return. The best breakthroughs often stem from collaborative problem solving, where teamwork makes up for individual weaknesses. Lastly, stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask bold questions!

Dr Wong: Cardiovascular research can benefit from advanced tools like metabolomics, so connect with others who allow you to bridge clinical expertise with these techniques. Don’t just prove that something works, understand how. Finally, don’t lose sight of your main goal – when research feels slow or tedious, remember that the data you are meticulously collecting today could help shape better treatments or guidelines that help patients live healthier and longer lives tomorrow.

Congratulations again to both Asst Prof Lim and Dr Wong! It is inspiring to witness research bearing fruits and make a difference in patient care, and we look forward to discovering insights from their future research.