Endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction and inflammation in heart and blood vessel problems of type 2 diabetes
Official title: Role of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Dysregulation and Inflammation in the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Run by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar · NCT07556497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether endothelial progenitor cells from adults with type 2 diabetes — with or without cardiovascular complications — have signaling and inflammation-related defects and whether boosting eNOS in those cells improves their repair function.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Doha) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 17, 2020 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07556497 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with type 2 diabetes who can give informed consent and agree to blood and urine collection, whether or not they already have cardiovascular complications.
✕Probably not a fit
People with type 1 or other non–type 2 diabetes, active infections, chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, recent cancer, or other acute illness are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will collect blood from adults with type 2 diabetes, with and without cardiovascular complications, to isolate endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and compare their signaling, calcium handling, and inflammatory profiles. The team will measure EPC number, maturation capacity, angiocrine signaling, and markers of inflammation linked to atherosclerosis. A laboratory sub-study will examine eNOS expression and activity in isolated EPCs and test whether in vitro eNOS enhancement restores EPC function. Results aim to link cellular signaling changes to impaired vascular repair in diabetes and identify potential molecular targets for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to ways to restore blood-vessel repair cells and reduce cardiovascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have consistently shown EPC impairment in diabetes and preclinical work suggests eNOS enhancement can improve EPC function, but clinical translation of these approaches remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * T2D * Males and females * Older than 18 years of age * Willingness to participate in the study and provide written consent form * Consent to having peripheral blood withdrawals and urine collection for the study requirement. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to meet the inclusion criteria * Type I diabetes, MODY diabetes or other form of diabetes * Active infection, inflammation, cancer or acute illness of any kind (other than a cardiovascular complication of diabetes if applicable in the group they are assigned to). * Chronic inflammation (eg. auto-immune diseases) or infections (eg. HIV, chronic hepatitis). * Evidence of malignancy within the past 5 years
Where it's running
-
Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha, Qatar Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Charbel Abi Khalil, MD,PhD — Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.