Clinical Fellowship

Institution:

University of Newcastle

Recipient:

Dr Arun Natarajan

Project:

The influence of glucose tolerance status on the predisposition to ex vivo thrombus formation of flowing blood and the effect of improving glycaemic control

Summary:

The majority of individuals with type 2 diabetes die of heart attacks and strokes which are caused by clots in blood vessels.

Several abnormalities in the blood cells and components involved in clotting, all of which increase the propensity to form clots, have been described in patients with diabetes. It is thought that these abnormalities may be responsible for the increased risk of clots in them. Evidence for this though, comes mainly from laboratory blood tests and the true impact of these abnormalities on actual clot formation within live blood vessels has not been fully explored.

High blood glucose levels are characteristic of diabetes, but their impact on heart attacks and strokes remains controversial.

We plan to quantify actual blood clots by passing blood through an experimental model (Badimon chamber). This model closely mimics the conditions present in a narrowed heart blood vessel which lead to clot formation. We will perform a number of laboratory tests of blood clotting and can thus determine their relation to the tendency to form clots.

We will also study diabetic patients with high blood sugar levels before and after treatment with insulin, in order to assess the effects of blood glucose control on clot formation.

Our study may therefore define the as yet unknown relation between the tendency for enhanced clot formation, blood components and blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Amount:

£40,977