Ding Research Focuses on Early Stages of Diabetes

Two research studies co-authored by Dr. Hong Ding shed light on the
early effects of diabetes on the inner layer of blood vessels.

Research on the effects of high blood sugar on tissue and cells by Hong Ding, MD, PhD, a cardiovascular pharmacologist with expertise in vascular disease and diabetes, has been published in two prestigious scientific journals.

Her research, which was supported in part by a grant from Qatar Foundation’s National Priorities Research Program, describes how glucose (blood sugar) damages endothelium tissue, the inner layer of blood vessels, and alters the ability of cells to regulate calcium and nitric oxide.

“These research findings help us understand the very early effects of high glucose on blood vessels and provide insight into the potential development of better strategies for both the prevention and treatment of diabetes-related cardiovascular disease.”

The studies are “Glucose enhances expression of TRPC1 and Ca entry in endothelial cells,” which was published online in the American Journal of Physiology and was co-authored by Nour Bishara, a research fellow at RMIT University; and “High glucose increases expression of cyclooxygenase-2, increases oxidative stress and decreases the generation of nitric oxide in mouse microvessel endothelial cells,” which has been accepted by the Journal of Cellular Physiology and is co-authored with Mohamad Aljofan, a graduate student who worked with Dr. Ding at RMIT University.

Dr. Ding joined WCMC-Q in 2007.

Report by Kristina Goodnough