Dr Kunihiko Aizawa
Research Fellow
K.Aizawa@exeter.ac.uk
Diabetes and Vascular Research Centre
Overview
Kuni obtained PhD in Kinesiology from The University of Western Ontario, Canada. He subsequently joined the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility and Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Research Centre, where he is the lead researcher for the ultrasound-based macrovascular investigation. His main research interest is large artery structure and its function. He utilizes non-invasive techniques such as carotid artery ultrasound, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation and applanation tonometry to investigate large artery stiffness, carotid plaque characteristics and endothelial function in healthy as well as clinical populations. Kuni has been working on international clinical studies including SUMMIT (SUrrogate markers for Micro- and Macro-vascular hard endpoints for Innovative diabetes Tools), REMOVAL (REducing With MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions in Type 1 Diabetes) and BEAt-DKD (Biomarker Enterprise to Attack Diabetic Kidney Disease).
Qualifications
- PhD (The University of Western Ontario, Canada)
- MSc (The University of Western Ontario, Canada)
- BPE (Juntendo University, Japan)
Publications
Journal articles
Casanova F, Gooding K, Shore A, Adingupu D, Mawson D, Ball C, Anning C, Aizawa K, Gates P, Strain W, et al (In Press). Weight change and sulphonylurea therapy are related to three-year change in microvascular function in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia
Aizawa K, Gates PE, Mawson DM, Casanova F, Gooding KM, Hope SV, Goncalves I, Nilsson J, Khan F, Colhoun HM, et al (2024). Type 2 diabetes exacerbates changes in blood pressure-independent arterial stiffness: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from the SUMMIT study. J Appl Physiol (1985), 136(1), 13-22. Abstract. Author URL.
Khan F, Gonçalves I, Shore AC, Natali A, Palombo C, Colhoun HM, Östling G, Casanova F, Kennbäck C, Aizawa K, et al (2022). Plaque characteristics and biomarkers predicting regression and progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Cell Rep Med, 3(7). Abstract. Author URL.
Aizawa K, Hughes AD, Casanova F, Gates PE, Mawson DM, Gooding KM, Gilchrist M, Goncalves I, Nilsson J, Khan F, et al (2022). Reservoir Pressure Integral is Independently Associated with the Reduction in Renal Function in Older Adults. Hypertension, 79(10), 2364-2372. Abstract. Author URL.
Aizawa K, Gates PE, Mawson DM, Elyas S, Casanova F, Gooding KM, Adingupu DD, Strain WD, Shore AC (2021). Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity acquisition methods and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical biomarkers of vascular health. Journal of Hypertension, 40(4), 658-665. Abstract.
Elyas S, Adingupu D, Aizawa K, Casanova F, Gooding K, Fulford J, Mawson D, Gates PE, Shore AC, Strain D, et al (2021). Cerebral small vessel disease, systemic vascular characteristics and potential therapeutic targets. Aging, 13(18), 22030-22039.
Aizawa K, Casanova F, Gates PE, Mawson DM, Gooding KM, Strain WD, Östling G, Nilsson J, Khan F, Colhoun HM, et al (2021). Reservoir-Excess Pressure Parameters Independently Predict Cardiovascular Events in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Hypertension, 78(1), 40-50. Abstract.
Casanova F, Wood AR, Yaghootkar H, Beaumont RN, Jones SE, Gooding KM, Aizawa K, Strain WD, Hattersley AT, Khan F, et al (2020). A Mendelian Randomization Study Provides Evidence That Adiposity and Dyslipidemia Lead to Lower Urinary Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio, a Marker of Microvascular Function. Diabetes, 69(5), 1072-1082. Abstract. Author URL.
Aizawa K, Ramalli A, Sbragi S, Tortoli P, Casanova F, Morizzo C, Thorn CE, Shore AC, Gates PE, Palombo C, et al (2019). Arterial wall shear rate response to reactive hyperaemia is markedly different between young and older humans. J Physiol, 597(16), 4151-4163. Abstract. Author URL.
Ramalli A, Aizawa K, Shore AC, Morizzo C, Palombo C, Lenge M, Tortoli P (2019). Continuous Simultaneous Recording of Brachial Artery Distension and Wall Shear Rate: a New Boost for Flow-Mediated Vasodilation. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 66(3), 463-471. Abstract.
Aizawa K, Sbragi S, Ramalli A, Tortoli P, Casanova F, Morizzo C, Thorn CE, Shore AC, Gates PE, Palombo C, et al (2018). Brachial artery vasodilatory response and wall shear rate determined by multigate Doppler in a healthy young cohort. J Appl Physiol (1985), 124(1), 150-159. Abstract. Author URL.
Weir-McCall JR, Brown L, Summersgill J, Talarczyk P, Bonnici-Mallia M, Chin SC, Khan F, Struthers AD, Sullivan F, Colhoun HM, et al (2018). Development and Validation of a Path Length Calculation for Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement: a TASCFORCE, SUMMIT, and Caerphilly Collaborative Venture. Hypertension, 71(5), 937-945. Abstract. Author URL.
Gates PE, Gurung A, Mazzaro L, Aizawa K, Elyas S, Strain WD, Shore AC, Shandas R (2018). Measurement of Wall Shear Stress Exerted by Flowing Blood in the Human Carotid Artery: Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry and Echo Particle Image Velocimetry. Ultrasound Med Biol, 44(7), 1392-1401. Abstract. Author URL.
Shore AC, Colhoun HM, Natali A, Palombo C, Khan F, Östling G, Aizawa K, Kennbäck C, Casanova F, Persson M, et al (2018). Use of Vascular Assessments and Novel Biomarkers to Predict Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes: the SUMMIT VIP Study. Diabetes Care, 41(10), 2212-2219. Abstract. Author URL.
Petrie JR, Chaturvedi N, Ford I, Brouwers MCGJ, Greenlaw N, Tillin T, Hramiak I, Hughes AD, Jenkins AJ, Klein BEK, et al (2017). Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of metformin in patients with type 1 diabetes (REMOVAL): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 5(8), 597-609.
Gurung A, Gates PE, Mazzaro L, Fulford J, Zhang F, Barker AJ, Hertzberg J, Aizawa K, Strain WD, Elyas S, et al (2017). Echo Particle Image Velocimetry for Estimation of Carotid Artery Wall Shear Stress: Repeatability, Reproducibility and Comparison with Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Ultrasound Med Biol, 43(8), 1618-1627. Abstract. Author URL.
Petrie JR, Chaturvedi N, Ford I, Hramiak I, Hughes AD, Jenkins AJ, E. Klein B, Klein R, Ooi TC, Rossing P, et al (2017). Metformin in adults with type 1 diabetes: <scp>D</scp>esign and methods of <scp>REducing</scp> with <scp>MetfOrmin V</scp>ascular <scp>A</scp>dverse <scp>L</scp>esions (<scp>REMOVAL</scp>): <scp>A</scp>n international multicentre trial. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 19(4), 509-516. Abstract.
Casanova F, Adingupu DD, Adams F, Gooding KM, Looker HC, Aizawa K, Dove F, Elyas S, Belch JJF, Gates PE, et al (2017). The impact of cardiovascular co-morbidities and duration of diabetes on the association between microvascular function and glycaemic control. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 16(1). Abstract. Author URL.
Gonçalves I, Edsfeldt A, Colhoun HM, Shore AC, Palombo C, Natali A, Fredrikson GN, Björkbacka H, Wigren M, Bengtsson E, et al (2016). Association between renin and atherosclerotic burden in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes. BMC Cardiovasc Disord, 16(1). Abstract. Author URL.
Aizawa K, Elyas S, Adingupu DD, Casanova F, Gooding KM, Shore AC, Strain WD, Gates PE (2016). Echogenicity of the Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Complex in Stroke. Ultrasound Med Biol, 42(5), 1130-1137. Abstract. Author URL.
Aizawa K, Elyas S, Adingupu DD, Casanova F, Gooding KM, Strain WD, Shore AC, Gates PE (2016). Reactivity to low-flow as a potential determinant for brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation. Physiol Rep, 4(12). Abstract. Author URL.
Adingupu DD, Thorn CE, Casanova F, Elyas S, Gooding K, Gilchrist M, Aizawa K, Gates PE, Shore AC, Strain DW, et al (2015). Blood Oxygen Saturation After Ischemia is Altered with Abnormal Microvascular Reperfusion. Microcirculation, 22(4), 294-305. Abstract. Author URL.
Goncalves I, Bengtsson E, Colhoun HM, Shore AC, Palombo C, Natali A, Edsfeldt A, Dunér P, Fredrikson GN, Björkbacka H, et al (2015). Elevated Plasma Levels of MMP-12 Are Associated with Atherosclerotic Burden and Symptomatic Cardiovascular Disease in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 35(7), 1723-1731. Abstract. Author URL.
Shore AC, Colhoun HM, Natali A, Palombo C, Östling G, Aizawa K, Kennbäck C, Casanova F, Persson M, Gooding K, et al (2015). Measures of atherosclerotic burden are associated with clinically manifest cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a European cross-sectional study. Journal of Internal Medicine, 278(3), 291-302. Abstract.
Shore AC, Colhoun HM, Natali A, Palombo C, Östling G, Aizawa K, Kennbäck C, Casanova F, Persson M, Gooding K, et al (2015). Measures of atherosclerotic burden are associated with clinically manifest cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a European cross-sectional study. J Intern Med, 278(3), 291-302. Abstract. Author URL.
Gilchrist M, Winyard PG, Aizawa K, Anning C, Shore A, Benjamin N (2013). Effect of dietary nitrate on blood pressure, endothelial function, and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Free Radic Biol Med, 60, 89-97. Abstract. Author URL.
Conferences
Segers P, O'Rourke MF, Parker K, Westerhof N, Hughes A, Aguado-Sierra J, Aizawa K, Alastruey J, Allen J, Avolio A, et al (2017). Towards a consensus on the understanding and analysis of the pulse waveform: Results from the 2016 Workshop on Arterial Hemodynamics: Past, present and future. Abstract.
Ramalli A, Byra M, Dallai A, Palombo C, Aizawa K, Sbragi S, Shore A, Tortoli P (2015). A Multiparametric Approach Integrating Vessel Diameter, Wall Shear Rate and Physiologic Signals for Optimized Flow Mediated Dilation Studies. Author URL.
