Evlampia Papoutsi

Mrs. Evlampia Papoutsi

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 May 2025 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TWTrevor Wilkinson
Trevor Wilkinson
EFEmma Fletcher
Emma Fletcher
ARAndrew Ring
Andrew Ring
CBCassandra Elizabeth Bradley
Cassandra Elizabeth Bradley
EPEvlampia Papoutsi
Evlampia Papoutsi
Panagiotis KoutakisPanagiotis Koutakis
Panagiotis Koutakis
This study investigates ferroptosis in the context of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a vascular disease characterized by atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. Muscle atrophy and increased oxidative stress are hallmarks of PAD and correlate with worse clinical outcomes. Given ferroptosis’ association with oxidative stress, we explored its role in PAD myopathy by examining gene and protein markers related to metabolic pathways implicated in ferroptosis using both human PAD patients and cultured myotubes. Intermittent claudication (IC) PAD patients, critical limb ischemia (CLI) PAD patients, and non-PAD controls were recruited for this study. Calf muscle biopsies were analyzed for gene expression using qPCR, and protein levels were determined by Western blotting. Cultured myotubes treated with the ferroptosis inducer erastin provided an in vitro comparison. Results demonstrated upregulation of ferroptosis markers such as lipid peroxidation and PTGS2 gene expression in the muscle of CLI PAD patients compared to controls. Increased expression of ferroptosis-related genes HMOX1, ACSL4, ELAVL1, and Beclin-1 was also observed. Protein analysis showed trends consistent with gene expression in some ferroptosis markers. The increase in ferroptosis markers in CLI PAD patients, particularly in iron metabolism and autophagy pathways, suggests ferroptosis contributes to PAD myopathy.