Elucidation of the mechanism of cardiovascular disease and preventive cardiology

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24790744
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Circulatory organs internal medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: MIZUNO YOSHIKO 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 研究員 (80436477)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 循環器疾患 / 動脈硬化 / 検診データ / 疫学研究 / 酸化ストレス / 甲状腺機能 / バイオマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in Japan and the related medical expenses are bigger than those for cancer. Preventive cardiology, which was initiated by the Japanese medical society in 2000, is now regarded as a key solution to the problem. In light of the need for novel approaches, we sought to elucidate mechanisms of atherosclerosis by conducting comprehensive research in healthy subjects. Firstly, we built a database with information from medical check-up, thereafter conducted cross-sectional and prospective studies. One of our recent findings regarding oxidative stress suggests that excessive state of serum iron levels in healthy patients is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We also elucidated the impact of thyroid dysfunction on early atherosclerosis, along with measuring oxidative stress levels in stored blood samples.

Free Research Field

循環器内科学