Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD

Research Interest

Complications

Metabolic Regulation and Obesity

Signal Transduction/Hormone Action

Prevention and Control

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Category(ies) of Research

Basic

Translational

Clinical

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Descriptor of Research

It is estimated that 2.5 million Americans have critical limb ischemia resulting from progressive peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with diabetes develop a distinct pattern of PAD resulting in diffuse infrageniculate tibial arterial wall calcification, stenosis, and long segment occlusions. Accordingly, diabetic patients are at significantly higher risk of chronic wounds, severe peripheral osseous or soft tissue infections, and a nearly a ten-times higher risk of major lower extremity amputations. Even with the most aggressive medical therapy and invasive revascularization procedures, diabetic patients with PAD continue to have very poor patency and limb salvage rates. Our group aims to investigate mechanisms that are important for the initiation and progression of PAD in diabetic patients. Using a complement of human lipidomic and proteomic biochemical analysis techniques, murine functional genomics, and modified in vitro tissue culture assays, we are currently investigating whether de novo lipid synthesis in peripheral vascular tissue can affect endothelial cell function and arterial collateralization in the setting of diabetes. Our study findings can potentially be of direct translational benefit for a highly prevalent clinical problem in patients with diabetes.