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Complications - Previously Funded

Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti (Operating Grant funded 2007-2010)

University of Western Ontario (London, ON)

Title: Pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy

Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti was studying how small molecules produced only in the eyes of people with diabetes form. When blood glucose levels are high, the molecules that are produced in the eyes can affect vision. Dr. Chakrabarti's research could lead to a better understanding of how eye disease develops in people with diabetes, and possible new ways of treating or preventing it.

 

Dr. Tanvir T. Chowdhury (Postdoctoral Fellowship Award funded 2011-2012)

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Supervisor: Hemmelgarm, Brenda, Dr.

Title: Dynamics of glycemic control and risk of cardiovascular events in diabetic mellitus.

Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular events. However, it is uncertain whether targeting near normal levels of glycemic status reduces the risk. Dr. Chowdhury is investigating the relationship between glycemic control, measured in two complementary ways (the rate of change with time and the variability of the glycemic level), and cardiovascular disease among people living with diabetes. This research will contribute to the understanding of the relationship between glycemic control and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

 

Dr. Matthias G. Friedrich (Operating Grant funded 2009-2010)

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Title: Novel imaging-derived biomarkers for the early detection of diabetic cardiomyopathy

Dr. Matthias Friedrich was examining whether early signs of heart disease in otherwise apparently healthy individuals with diabetes can be detected by using a novel imaging approach with an MRI. Dr. Friedrich's research could help identify new diagnostic strategies for the early detection and prevention of diabetes-related heart disease in people with diabetes.

 

Dr. Adria Giacca (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Title: Treatment of restenosis and atherosclerosis with insulin and insulin sensitizers

Dr. Adria Giacca is studying whether resveratrol (a substance found in red wine) and metformin (a blood glucose lowering drug) alone and when combined with insulin, prevent narrowing of blood vessels, as well as decrease fat deposition in blood vessels. Dr. Giacca's research may help determine whether resveratrol and metformin treatment has any potential to prevent blood vessel damage in people with type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Zia Ali Khan (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

University of Western Ontario (London, ON)

Title: Vascular stem cells in diabetic complications

Dr. Zia Ali Khan is studying whether diabetes causes the loss of circulating adult stem cells which are responsible for repairing blood vessels. It is thought that the cause of diabetes-related complications is the inability of the body to repair blood vessels. The findings of this study may lead to better understanding of the cause of complications associated with diabetes and better treatments.

 

Dr. Joan C. Krepinsky (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)

Title: SREBP in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy

Dr. Joan Krepinsky is studying how high sugar levels cause kidney cells to scar in people with diabetes. We do not yet fully understand what causes diabetes-related kidney disease. Dr. Krepinsky wants to better understand the role of a protein called SREBP-1 in kidney disease which may lead to a new way of preventing or treating diabetes-related kidney disease.

 

Dr. Nancy Mayo (Applied Research (Operating) Grant funded 2007-2009)

McGill University (Montréal, QC)

Title: Amputation in the province of Quebec: a decade's experience

More than half of all amputations occur as a result of diabetes complications. To improve the care of people who undergo amputations, Dr. Nancy Mayo is gathering information about amputation in Quebec: how often amputations happen; how artificial limbs are prescribed; how patients fare after the surgery; hospital stays; doctor visits; use of artificial limbs; and the characteristics of the patients themselves and their diabetes care before the amputation.

 

Dr. Judith A. Miller (Grant-in-Aid (Operating Grant) funded 2006-2009)

University Health Network (Toronto, ON)

Title: Mechanisms of progression of renal disease in diabetes mellitus

About a third of patients with diabetes develop kidney disease, but we do not yet fully understand the cause. We know that a system of hormones called the renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role. Dr. Miller will examine the RAS response to high blood glucose. She will also explore whether early RAS suppression with common medications offers protection after treatment has stopped. This information should help us understand how high glucose leads to diabetes-related kidney disease.

 

Dr. Bruce A. Perkins (Scholar Award funded 2004-2009)

University Health Network (Toronto, ON)

Title: Early nerve function decline in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Approximately 50% of people with diabetes develop a condition called diabetic sensory polyneuropathy (DSP). This affects the long nerves that reach the body's extremities (for example the hands and feet) and causes loss of sensation and pain. It also puts patients at risk of infection, ulcers and amputation.  This study will follow 478 people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and will use a new technique to identify the best way to diagnose DSP in order to prevent and/or cure it.

 

Dr. Brian B. Rodrigues (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)

Title: Metabolic basis for diabetic heart disease: role of cardiac lipoprotein lipase

Dr. Brian B. Rodrigues is studying changes in the heart of people with diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk and severity of heart attack and stroke because the diabetic heart, which normally uses sugar for energy, switches to using only fats. A better understanding of this process will help us identify new ways to treat, prevent or delay heart failure in people with diabetes.

 

Dr. James W. Scholey (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Title: The role of ACE2 in diabetic kidney injury

Dr. James W. Scholey is studying how a newly discovered enzyme (called ACE2) may protect the kidneys from disease. Dr. Scholey wants to find out if treating mice with ACE2 can prevent kidney disease. This research may lead to a new way of preventing diabetes-related kidney disease.

 

Dr. Jane Shearer (Scholar Award funded 2007-2012)

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Title: Mechanisms of glycogen induced insulin resistance in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Dr. Jane Shearer is studying how the imbalance in the way sugar and fats are used as energy by the heart affect people with diabetes. Finding ways of restoring normal sugar and fat use in the hearts of people with diabetes may help to prevent and treat diabetes-related heart disease.

 

Dr. Garry X. Shen (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB)

Title: Mechanism for glycated lipoproteins induced fibrinolytic regulators in vascular endothelial cells

Dr. Garry X. Shen is studying how high sugar levels amplify the damaging effects of 'bad' cholesterol on blood vessels in people with diabetes. Dr. Shen's research may help us better understand why two to four times more people with diabetes develop heart disease, and how to prevent or treat it.

 

Dr. Gary Sweeney (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

York University (Toronto, ON)

Title: Influence of diabetes on the cardioprotective effects of adiponectin

Dr. Gary Sweeney is studying how a substance released from fat cells (called adiponectin) may alter the structure and function of the heart in the obese and in people with diabetes. Dr. Sweeney's research may lead to greater understanding of the underlying causes of heart failure associated with obesity and diabetes, and may lead to new treatments.

 

Dr. Mladen Vranic (Operating Grant funded 2007-2009)

University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Title: Physiological and molecular mechanisms of hypoglycemic counterregulation in diabetic rats

Low blood glucose is a serious concern for people with type 1 diabetes. It limits how intensively people can treat their diabetes. Insulin treatment could be more effective if the body's responses to low blood glucose could be closer to normal. One reason that people with diabetes may have poor responses to low blood glucose is that they have increased levels of a substance called somatostatin. Blocking somatostatin may lead to more normal responses. If the risk of low blood glucose was lower, it would allow people with diabetes to have better blood glucose control.

 

Dr. Zhiguo Wang (Operating Grant funded 2007-2009)

Montreal Heart Institute (Montréal, QC)

Title: Diabetes-induced abnormal QT prolongation: focus on the gender difference and the underlying mechanisms

Heart complications are the major cause of death of people with diabetes. Women with diabetes are especially at risk for an irregular heartbeat, which has been linked to a higher risk of sudden death. Dr. Wang wants to better understand why women with diabetes are more vulnerable to irregular heartbeats and sudden death. This may lead gender- specific treatments for irregular heartbeats in people with diabetes.

 

Dr. Geoffrey H. Werstuck (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)

Title: Investigating the pro-atherogenic potential of chronic hyperglycemia

Dr. Geoffrey Werstuck is studying whether a disorder of the very small blood vessels (microvascular disease) causes a disease of the large blood vessels (macrovascular disease) in people with diabetes. Dr. Werstuck's research may help find new and effective treatments for the prevention of heart disease in people with diabetes.

 

Dr. Douglas W. Zochodne (Operating Grant funded 2007-2010)

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Title: Diabetes, skin sensation and pain

Dr. Douglas W. Zochodne was researching when and how skin nerves become damaged in people with diabetes. Nerve damage is a common complication of diabetes which leads to pain and to loss of feeling which increases the risk of amputation. Dr. Zochodne's research could help determine if there are ways to encourage nerve regrowth in people with diabetes.

 

Currently Funded