Project 170868
Mechanisms by which Diabetes Mellitus promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis
Mechanisms by which Diabetes Mellitus promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis
Project Information
| Study Type: | Other Mechanistic_Study |
| Therapeutic Area: | Cardiology |
| Research Theme: | Biomedical |
| Disease Area: | diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke |
| Data Type: | Canadian |
Institution & Funding
| Principal Investigator(s): | Werstuck, Geoffrey H |
| Institution: | McMaster University |
| CIHR Institute: | Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes |
| Program: | |
| Peer Review Committee: | Metabolism |
| Competition Year: | 2008 |
| Term: | 3 yrs 0 mth |
Abstract Summary
Over 75% of people with diabetes will die prematurely of heart attack or stroke. The goal of our research is to; i) determine why, and ii) to find ways to prevent this from happening. We have identified a novel pathway within the cells of the body. This pathway is activated by high levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) and can result in damage to the cells of the blood vessel walls. We are currently testing the importance of this pathway and identifying specific points within the pathway that we can target with drugs to block disease progression. These studies are important because our increased understanding of these disease processes will permit a rational approach to the development of treatments and prevention strategies.
Research Characteristics
This project includes the following research characteristics:
Study Justification
"determine why diabetes promotes premature death from heart attack or stroke, and to find ways to prevent this from happening"
Novelty Statement
"These studies are important because our increased understanding of these disease processes will permit a rational approach to the development of treatments and prevention strategies."
Methodology Innovation
identifying a novel cellular pathway activated by hyperglycemia that damages blood vessel walls