Rajabrata Sarkar, MD, Ph.D. is working on several research projects, as a Wylie Scholar and as a member of the Laboratory for Accelerated Vascular Research at UCSF. As a Wylie Scholar, he is investigating how nitric oxide inhibits the growth of smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall. Since this cell growth may cause blockage after surgery or angioplasty, therby limiting the effectiveness of these treatments, inhibiting cell growth may be important in artery healing and in avoidance of this problem. Understanding the mechanisms by which nitric oxide prevents this growth may allow the development of new therapies that can enhance the beneficial effect of nitric oxide in preventing blockage after treatment. As one of the Laboratory’s basic scientists, Dr. Sarkar is conducting a preliminary clinical trial on a non-surgical treatment for blocked arteries in the lower leg.
Dr. Sarkar established the Venous Center at UCSF to treat a wide variety of venous diseases.
Deep vein thrombosis, a condition that affects more than two million Americans and contributes to 200,000 deaths each year, describes blood clot formation in the veins in the pelvis and legs. These clots can break off from the vein and travel to the lungs, a potentially fatal complication known as pulmonary embolism. The clots also can cause leg swelling, pain and skin ulceration years later in a condition known as post-thrombotic syndrome. Dr. Sarkar’s research is focused on post-thrombotic syndrome and the potentially important molecular role that key proteins (matrix metalloproteinases) play in how veins heal after a clot forms.
Learn more about Rajabrata Sarkar, MD, PhD…
