Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: Connie C.W. Hsia, M.D.
Department: Internal Medicine / Pulmonary
Room number: H8.122A
Mail Code: 9034
Phone number: 8-3426
E-mail: Connie.Hsia@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Pulmonary oxygen transport in patients with diabetes mellitus

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0290 04300

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): N/A

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): Patient-based

Brief Description of Project:

It has become apparent that diabetes mellitus also affects the lung and the degree of physiological impairment can be measured non-invasively. This study will determine if the decrement in lung function in diabetic patients parallels other indices of microangiopathy, such as albuminuria, retinopathy and neuropathy, and whether established impairment in DL could be reversed by tight blood glucose control. We will measure lung function at rest and during graded exercise on a cycle ergometer in patients with recent onset or long-standing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and relate the results to glycemic control as well as indices of renal function, retinopathy and neuropathy.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1999, Samson Leung. Summer Medical Student project, "Effect of Retinoic Acid on Regenerative Lung Growth."

2002, Geoff Elmore. Summer Medical Student project, "Exogenous Retinoic Acid Enhances Strain-induced Lung Growth Following Pneumonectomy." Selected for presentation at the 41st Annual Medical Student Research Forum.

2005, Andrew Crabbe. Summer Medical Student project, "Pulmonary Oxygen Transport in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus." Selected for presentation at the 44th Annual Medical Student Research Forum.

Yan X, DJ Bellotto, DM Dane, RG Elmore, RL Johnson Jr, AS Estrera, and CCW Hsia. Lack of response to all-trans retinoic acid supplementation in adult dogs following left pneumonectomy. J Appl Physiol 99:1681-1688, 2005.