Open Funding 2009

Institution:

Diabetes Foot Clinic, King’s College Hospital, London

Recipient:

Professor Michael Edmonds

Project:

Is Charcot osteoarthropathy a Cytokine-Driven Disease?

Summary:

Some people with diabetes and nerve damage can develop a devastating form of bone and joint disease known as the “Charcot foot” in which there is considerable bone destruction, caused by cells called osteoclasts. The cause of this bone destruction is not fully understood. We have recently shown that the activity of these osteoclasts is increased in patients with acute Charcot foot. One possible reason may be an increase in the cells in the blood, called special monocytes, from which these osteoclasts are derived. Special monocytes are increased in patients with Charcot foot. There are also substances in the blood which can affect the development of osteoclasts. The aim of this study is to measure the level of these substances in patients with acute Charcot foot and also to assess whether any of them show a relationship with the increased number of the special monocytes. If we do find a relationship we need to be sure that it is related to the Charcot foot and therefore we will also carry out these measurements in a group of diabetic patients without Charcot foot, and in a group of healthy subjects. It is hoped that if we discover the factors that lead to increased number of special monocytes and thus increased osteoclastic activity, this will help the understanding of bone destruction and lead to new treatments for this devastating condition.

Amount:

£11,038 (part-funded)