24: Development of laser doppler flowmetry

Development of laser doppler flowmetry for assessment of muscle microvascular flow ($10,000)

A grant was awarded to Professor Michael Clark at the University of Tasmania to study muscle blood flow in diabetes patients with insulin resistance and diabetes.

Tasmanian researchers have built up expertise for studying muscle blood flow and particularly techniques for measuring changes in blood flow patterns within muscle that related to alterations in access for nutrients and hormones. The Tasmanian population, like all Westernised developed communities, has a growing incidence of Type II Diabetes. Its occurrence depends on both genetic and environmental contributions. For the latter, low physical activity and poor diet are the main causative influences. Type II Diabetes is preceded by muscle insulin resistance and often accompanied by Lipidaemia and Cardiovascular Disease.

This study should result in improved monitoring of the state of insulin resistance in muscle following treatment with the new generation of insulin enhancers that are coming onto the market.