Novel strategy to prevent cardiac complications in Type 2 diabetes

Dr Cher-Rin Chong, University of Adelaide

2018 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Years funded: 2019-2023

In Australia, one person develops diabetes every 5 minutes. Patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) are six times more likely to develop heart disease than those without, and about 75% of patients with T2D die from heart disease. Impaired metabolic flexibility reduced energy and excessive free radicals are thought to play important roles in the development of heart disease in T2D. However, little is known about these processes and their interactions with each other.

This project aims to examine these abnormalities, particularly focusing on a protein called PARP-1. When PARP-1 is overactivated (such as in T2D), it produces excessive free radicals, and consumes the substrates required for energy production, leading to impaired energy. This project will investigate whether preventing PARP-1 overactivation will improve metabolic flexibility, efficiency, and energy production of T2D hearts. It will also describe the mechanisms associated with these processes. It is hoped that this project will provide proof-of-concept data for such agents, and the foundation necessary for mounting a future clinical trial in patients with T2M to prevent heart disease.

This project is co-funded with NHMRC - National Health and Medical Research Council.