Inflammatory Blood mediators in patients with type 2 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification and quantification of soluble inflammatory blood mediators and peripheral blood cell markers in obese patients with type 2 diabetes
IRAS ID
156246
Contact name
Andrew Collier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Research summary
Diabetes, particularly type 2 (insulin-resistant) diabetes is associated with a significant increased risk of cardiovascular disease relating to high blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal cholesterol and obesity. All of these are associated with increased resistance to the action of insulin. Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects a number of organs, and leads to increased activation of the immune system. It is possible to determine the level of activation of the immune system (inflammation) by measuring certain proteins in the blood. We can also look for markers on the surface of particular white blood cells, and changes in the activation of certain genes. Together, these measurements allow us to build a profile of the inflammatory status of that person. This inflammatory profile can be used to look for any relationships with diabetic status, fat profile and blood pressure. Diabetes occurs predominately in obese, but can occur in non-obese individuals. We aim to take blood samples from 20 obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) patients with type 2 diabetes to investigate the relationships between inflammation and diabetes. In order to look at the role of obesity in diabetes, we will take blood samples from 20 non-obese diabetics to compare the measurements. Finally, to help determine the relationship between obesity and diabetes, we will take a further 20 blood samples from obese patients who do not have diabetes. In order to avoid complicating issues of sex hormones, we will include only females in this study. Comparing the results from these three different groups will allow us to examine the interaction and roles of inflammation and obesity in diabetic patients, and contribute to the identification of inflammatory markers which may be useful to assess diabetic control or deterioration in insulin resistance.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1657
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion