Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

  • 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022
  • Awards: Pump-priming Awards

The leading cause of mortality in people with type 2 diabetes is cardiovascular disease.  Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease, causing the heart to change the substrates it uses and the concentrations of metabolites within the cell.  Metabolites can have far reaching effects on cell function, as not only are they fuels but also signalling molecules.  Thus, to understand why diabetes affects the heart we must first understand what metabolites are actually doing within the cell, and the detrimental consequences when their concentrations change.  

 Through this BHF CRE pump priming application we will focus on a specific metabolite – fumarate – which is decreased in the diabetic heart.  Fumarate can signal to a transcription factor Nrf2, and promote the antioxidant defence mechanisms in the cell to protect against oxidative damage.  Therefore, a decrease in fumarate concentrations may contribute to the increased oxidative damage found in the diabetic heart.  We will investigate the mechanisms linking fumarate, Nrf2, its downstream antioxidant defence genes and oxidative damage in T2D, using human cardiomyocytes.  In addition, we will explore therapeutic avenues to increase fumarate concentrations, as an approach to protect the heart in diabetes. 

 

New graphical image Nrf2 project v.2.jpg