One of the most common manifestations of diabetes mellitus is damage to the peripheral nervous system, known as diabetic neuropathy. While the precise mechanism responsible for the development of neuropathy has yet to be elucidated, it is most likely mediated by a variety of metabolic responses. Increasing attention has been directed at studying molecules that mediate growth and survival of the nerves, and has focused on some classical proteins such as nerve growth factor. We believe an additional group of mediators; known as cytokines, are also involved in this process. We are interested in a specific family of cytokines, the neuropoietic cytokine family, because its members are known to be expressed by both the nervous and immune systems and in the peripheral nervous system, at least three members of this family are important in the response to injury and repair in normal animals. We will investigate cytokine expression during the onset of neuropathy and in response to nerve injury. In addition, we will ask whether nerve regeneration is altered by administration of these cytokines. This could have obvious health benefits to the millions of diabetics that suffer from nerve damage.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL058904-03
Application #
6389746
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ALTX-4 (05))
Program Officer
Loria, Catherine
Project Start
1999-09-30
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$297,100
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Vedtofte, Mia Sadowa; Jakobsen, Marianne U; Lauritzen, Lotte et al. (2014) Association between the intake of ?-linolenic acid and the risk of CHD. Br J Nutr 112:735-43
Hvidtfeldt, Ulla A; Tolstrup, Janne S; Jakobsen, Marianne U et al. (2010) Alcohol intake and risk of coronary heart disease in younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Circulation 121:1589-97
Jakobsen, Marianne U; O'Reilly, Eilis J; Heitmann, Berit L et al. (2009) Major types of dietary fat and risk of coronary heart disease: a pooled analysis of 11 cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr 89:1425-32
Knekt, Paul; Ritz, John; Pereira, Mark A et al. (2004) Antioxidant vitamins and coronary heart disease risk: a pooled analysis of 9 cohorts. Am J Clin Nutr 80:1508-20
Pereira, Mark A; O'Reilly, Eilis; Augustsson, Katarina et al. (2004) Dietary fiber and risk of coronary heart disease: a pooled analysis of cohort studies. Arch Intern Med 164:370-6