生活習慣病患者における血管合併症予防を目指した基礎研究と臨床的実践

Heparin cofactor II（HCII）, a serine protease inhibitor inactivates thrombin action via formation of complex with dermatan sulfate. Since accelerated thrombin action via activation of its receptor contributes development of cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance, we studied and demonstrated that low plasma HCII activities were associated with exaggerated atherosclerosis, cardiovascular remodeling and hyperglycemia with insulin resistance in both of humans and mice. These results suggested that plasma HCII activity might be a predictive biomarker and novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases.
Although metabolic disorders including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia are thought to be major clinical problems in the public health, number of this clinical field specialist is not enough to treat those patients in local areas of Tokushima prefecture. In ２０１５, the Department of Community Medicine and Metabolic Disorders was established to practice patients-based medicine, to advance the cultivation of clinical human resources, to educate medical students and to make social contribution in Anan area of Tokushima prefecture. We are going to promote clinical support linkage between Tokushima University Hospital and Anan Clinical Center.