Lionheart News

Lionheart Health Announces Breakthrough in Bioelectric Activation of 15-PGDH for Osteoarthritis and Inflammatory Diseases

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Huntington Beach, CA — April 23rd, 2026

Lionheart Health, Inc. today announced the filing of a provisional patent application covering a novel approach to treating knee osteoarthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions through bioelectric stimulation of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH).

15-PGDH is widely recognized as the body’s natural regulator of prostaglandins—molecules that drive inflammation and tissue degeneration. By enhancing the expression of this key enzyme, Lionheart’s technology aims to turn off excessive inflammation at its source.

A New Approach to Inflammation Control

Unlike conventional therapies that block inflammation chemically, Lionheart’s platform uses precisely controlled bioelectric signals to stimulate the body’s own cells—including synovial fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and stem cells—to increase production of 15-PGDH.

This results in:

  • Reduction of inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2)
  • Protection of cartilage
  • Improved joint function
  • Potential disease modification

Broad Impact Beyond Osteoarthritis

The company believes this approach may have wide-ranging applications including:

  • Cardiovascular inflammation
  • Neurodegenerative conditions
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Oncology support therapies

Integration with Regenerative Medicine

The technology is designed to integrate with Lionheart’s broader platform, including:

  • Bioelectric stimulation therapies
  • PRF and stromal cell therapies
  • Peptides and biomolecular support

Leadership Commentary

“This is a fundamental shift—from blocking inflammation to bioelectrically reprogramming the body to resolve it naturally,” said Howard J. Leonhardt, Lionheart Health Executive Chairman & co-CEO and inventor “15-PGDH represents a master control point in prostaglandin biology, and we believe this approach has the potential to redefine treatment of chronic inflammatory disease. Non-invasive bioelectric stimulation controlled release of 15-PGDH reduces the need for large volume of repeated needle injections and expensive drug approvals and costs required by other approaches. ”
This new patent filing adds to Leonhardt Ventures LLC and Lionheart Health’s growing estate of bioelectric controlled protein expressions which include klotho, SDF1 and PDGF (stem cell homing), sestrins, sirtuins, LIM Muscle, Tropoelastin, COL17a1, VEGF, eNOS, HIF1a, GDF10, BDNF, Apelin, RANK-L, OPG, S100a, Sonic Hedgehog, NANOG, IGF1, cancer fighting proteins and more.

Potential Broader Applications of 15-PGDH Inhibition (Investigational)
Inhibition of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), which increases levels of regenerative prostaglandins such as PGE2, is being explored across multiple organ systems for its potential to enhance tissue repair, cellular resilience, and functional recovery. Areas of active research and emerging interest include:

  • Muscle health / sarcopenia: support for muscle regeneration, strength, and recovery in age-related decline
  • Brain health: potential modulation of neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and cognitive resilience
  • Immune and inflammatory balance: regulation of inflammatory signaling and tissue repair responses
  • Sexual and vascular health: improved endothelial function and circulation, with possible relevance to erectile and female sexual function
  • Bladder health: support for bladder tissue repair and function
  • Lung health: enhancement of epithelial repair and recovery from injury
  • Kidney health: support for renal tissue protection and regeneration
  • Liver health: potential role in hepatic repair and fibrosis modulation
  • Vision and hearing: exploratory potential in retinal and inner ear cell protection and regeneration
  • Skin health: support for dermal repair, elasticity, and wound healing
  • Hair biology: stimulation of hair follicle cycling and growth signaling pathways
  • Healthspan longevity: systemic enhancement of regenerative capacity and resilience associated with aging
These applications are based on preclinical and early-stage clinical research. Most remain investigational and have not yet been established as safe and effective for clinical use without further regulatory review.

About Lionheart Health

Lionheart Health is an innovation leader in bioelectric and biologics regenerative medicine, focused on stimulating the body to express key proteins associated with healing, regenerative aesthetics, longevity, healthspan and organ regeneration.

Forward-Looking Statement and Diclaimer

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding investigational therapies not yet approved by regulatory authorities. Patents pending may not be issued.  Patents issued may be invalidated. Technologies are still primarily investigational research stage.