Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2005
Request for Funding
Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2005
4 Projects
Mentor: Philip Raskin, M.D., Ildiko Lingvay, M.D.
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: G4.100
Mail Code: 8858
Phone number: 214-648-4716
E-mail: Ildiko.Lingvay@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Preservation of Beta-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 1003-623
Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
This study is patient-based.
Brief Description of Project:
The purpose of the study is to find out if taking insulin shots along with
metformin is better at preventing beta-cell decline in type 2 diabetic patients
than a combination of three different oral hypoglycemic agents.
The study has a 3-month run-in period in which all patients take metformin and
insulin injections. Following the run-in period participants are randomized
to metformin and insulin injections, or metformin, glyburide and Actos (pioglitazone).
The actual treatment period lasts 18 months. Participants are required to attend
visits once a month for the first 9 months of the study, and once every three
months for the last 12 months. Beta-cell function is assessed using a Mixed
Meal Challenge Test which is performed at 6-month intervals during the study.
Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
"Redefining Insulin Use For Newly-Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients" - abstract presented at the 43rd annual Medical Student Research Forum by Megan Terese (MS 2)
Mentor: Philip Raskin, M.D., Hiroshi Noto, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: G4.100
Mail Code: 8858
Phone number: 214-648-4716
E-mail: hiroshi.noto@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: The Role of Platelet Activating Factor-Acetylhydrolase in Complications
and Response to Treatment in Diabetes.
Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 072004-051
Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
This study is patient-based.
Brief Description of Project:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of an enzyme, Platelet
Activating Factor-Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), in patients with diabetes. PAF-AH
is associated with lipoproteins and is a marker of inflammation and atherosclerosis.
However, its relevance in diabetes is unknown. Participants will be given a
brief physical exam and asked questions about their general health and diabetes.
Fundoscopic exam and ankle-brachial blood pressure measurement will be preformed
as well. A small sample of blood will be taken for laboratory analysis. We will
measure other inflammation markers with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
in our lab. We will then evaluate the correlation of PAF-AH with diabetic complications
and glycemic control.
Mentor: Philip Raskin, M.D., Soma Abraham, M.S.N, R.N.
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: G4.100
Mail Code: 8858
Phone number: 214-648-4716
E-mail: soma.abraham@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multiple
Doses Study of the Efficacy and Safety of AS-3201 in Patients with Diabetic
Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy.
Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 092004-009
Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
This study is patient-based.
Brief Description of Project:
The purpose of this study is to test the safety, potential usefulness and the
best dose of an investigational drug, AS-3201, compared to a placebo in patients
with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. AS-3201 is a novel
compound called an aldose-reductase inhibitor. Following a nerve conduction
study to test the functional ability of the nerves, a participant will be randomized
to 10 milligrams, 20 milligrams, or 40 milligrams of AS-3201 or a placebo for
a one year period. Patients will be monitored throughout the year and will complete
a second nerve conduction study at the termination of the study to determine
if the functional ability of the nerves improves over the course of the study.
Mentor: Philip Raskin, M.D., Ivana Lukacova-Zib, M.D.
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: G4.100
Mail Code: 8858
Phone number: 214-648-4716
E-mail: ivanna.lukacova-zib@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Potential Causes of Weight Gain with Intensive Insulin and Combination
Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes.
Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0403-218
Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
This study is patient-based.
Brief Description of Project:
The purpose of this research is to determine the causes of weight gain with
intensive insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus and where the weight
is distributed throughout the body. This study will also evaluate the effects
of insulin on the heart and the liver. Patients will be treated with intensive
insulin therapy in combination with pioglitazone or a placebo for six months.
At the beginning and termination of the study, participants will complete a
Mixed Meal Test to determine how well the pancreas is functioning. Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) will be used to determine fat distribution in the abdominal
cavity and in the thighs. Participants will then be randomized to insulin therapy
in combination with pioglitazone or a placebo. Treatment will continue for six
months. During the study period, several tests will be performed including skinfold
measurement. A second mixed meal test and MRI will be performed at the termination
of the study.
Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
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