Research

The Diabetes Department have had a long record of research projects teaming up in multi-centre studies or through their own independent research.  One of the main research outputs has been the DOVE (Dysglycaemic Oxidative Stress and the Vascular Endothelium) Project run by Professor Mike Cummings in collaboration with Dr David Laight Senior Lecturer at Portsmouth University.

To date we have had six Research Fellows examining the links between these novel risk markers of vascular disease, in particular looking at the therapeutic benefits of aspirin, folic acid, nitrates, grapeseed extract and garlic. 

Other local research initiatives have examined psychological aspects of diabetes, healthcare professional competency and delivery of healthcare, and sexual health in diabetes.  Multi-centred studies have examined the treatment of hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and adult growth hormone deficiency.

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Publications:

Listed below are a few publications in prestigious journals, secondary to the research work carried out under the mentorship of Professor Cummings:

• Wotherspoon F, Laight DW, Browne DL, Turner C, Meeking DR, Allard SE, Munday LJ, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. The effects of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine levels, oxidative stress and endothelial function in type 1 diabetes. International Journal of Clinical Practice 2008

• Raghavan RP, Laight DW, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. Aspirin and Diabetes. British Journal of Diabetes and Vascular Disease 2006; 6: 74-82

• Kar PS, Laight D, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. Flavonoid-rich grapeseed extracts: A new approach in high cardiovascular risk patients? International Journal of Clinnical Practice 2006; 60: 1484-1492

• Wotherspoon F, Laight DW, Browne DL, Turner C, Meeking DR, Allard SE, Munday LJ, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. Plasma homoysteine, oxidative stress and endothelial function in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria. Diabetic Medicine 2006; 23:1350-1356.

• Browne DL, Meeking DR, Allard S, Munday LJ, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. Diabetic erectile dysfunction - An indicator of generalised endothelial function per se? International Journal of Clinical Practice 2006; 60:1323-1326.

• Browne DL, Meeking DR, Allard SE, Munday JL, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. Angiotensin II does not affect endothelial tone in Type 1 diabetes - Results of a double-blind placebo controlled trial. Diabetic Medicine 2006; 23:931-935.

• Wotherspoon F, Browne DL, Meeking DR, Allard SE, Munday LJ, Shaw KM, Cummings MH. The contribution of nitric oxide and vasodilatory prostanoids to bradykinin-mediated vasodilation in Type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine 2005; 22:697-702.

• Fayers KE, Cummings MH, Shaw KM, Laight DW. Nitrate tolerance and the links with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2003; 56(6): 620-8.

• Browne DL, Meeking DR, Shaw KM and Cummings MH. Presymptomatic atherosclerosis in type I diabetes - endothelial dysfunction and its role in current management. British Journal of Diabetes and Vascular Disease 2003; 3:27-34.