Reports of research work funded by grants prior to 2014

Victoria University of Wellington

The effect of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning on the Late Immune Response in Healthy Volunteers

JM Williams
School of Biological Sciences

Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) describes the phenomenon where brief intermittent periods of limb ischaemia are used to protect the heart and other organs from subsequent prolonged ischaemic insults.  In addition to the immediate beneficial effect provided by RIPC, a second window of protection occurs 24 hours later.  As a continuation of our research into the mechanism through which RIPC exerts its protective effects, the present study aims to determine the effect of RIPC on the immune response during the late phase of protection.

Ethics approval for the study was successfully obtained and the laboratory procedures required for the trial have been optimised; however, the trial recruitment was delayed due to an illness of the primary study investigator requiring a period of extended leave.  The necessary reagents and supplies for the trial have been purchased, and we intend to continue with the final stage of the study shortly.  The final results report will be completed before the end of the year.