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Diabetes Research Group
Current projects
- An investigation,
in a rat model, of the hypothesis that: in utero exposure to a high-fat
diet induces a defect in the development and/or function of pancreatic beta
cells, which could result in glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and
type II diabetes in the offspring in adulthood. Offspring of rats fed an ad lib, high-fat diet during gestation are monitored for weight,
glucose, insulin, leptin and lipids at birth, three weeks, three months
and six months old. Pancreases are studied for histology, morphometric analyses
of islet number and size,
 and  cell number and ratio and proliferation and apoptosis indices for endocrine,
duct and acinar cells. This represents two M.Sc. projects: one of a female
student from the University of Zululand and the other of an in-house technologist
for her M.Sc. thesis.
- An investigation,
in rats, on the effect of a high-fat (urban) diet, from birth to six months,
on pancreatic endocrine cell turnover and islet size and numbers, leading
possibly to B (Insulin) cell depletion and development of type II diabetes.
Investigations will be as for the in utero study at three weeks,
three months and six months after commencing the diet. This study is being
performed by another M.Sc. student from the University of Zululand, for
his thesis.
- An investigation of
the effect of a fatty diet on young adult monkeys. Different groups of monkeys
maintained on a high-fat diet, either restricted or ad libitum, are
being monitored for glucose tolerance, BPs, weights and blood profiles every
6 - 8 weeks for 2 - 3 years. Monkeys will be euthanazed for assessment of
dietary effects on the pancreas, cardiovascular system, liver, fat and muscle
when persistent hyperglycaemia and impaired GTT are detected (i.e. diagnosis
of overt type II diabetes).
Analysis of pathophysiological
changes (via blood profiles) in all of the dietary study monkeys, who
ultimately develop type II diabetes, will reveal a pattern of change that
can be used for early diagnosis.
- An investigation to
ascertain the mechanism in the primate by which in utero conditions
can predispose to the later development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
This is an international collaborative study using Wellcome funding.
- An investigation of
the molecular mechanisms that cause decreased pancreatic cell function and number, and insulin resistance in adipocytes and hepatocytes
in type II diabetic patients. This investigation involves differential pancreatic
gene expression induced by a Westernised diet, signals involved in pancreatic cell turnover, and differential
gene expression in insulin resistance in adipocytes and hepatocytes.
- An investigation of
the pathophysiology of the myocardium in ischaemia and in type II diabetes
by elucidation of the mechanism of preconditioning and investigating type
II-associated cardiomyopathy.
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