The aim of Biomedical Science Day is to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of biomedical science and the vital role it plays in the world.  Randox are dedicated to improving healthcare worldwide through placing a major focus on research and development.  The Randox scientists work in pioneering research into a range of common illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

A recent blog from Doris-Ann Williams, the Chief Executive at BIVDA, explains how “increased funding is not enough to sustain the NHS” and how “we need to make better use of in vitro diagnostics to ensure a successful future”.

The National Health Service (NHS) is a publicly funded, primarily taxation, national healthcare system in the United Kingdom.  It was first set-up on July 5^th, 1948 by Aneurin Bevan as he believed that everyone, regardless of wealth, should have access to good healthcare.  Whilst the NHS is an extremely important aspect of healthcare in the UK, in vitro diagnostics are the heart and soul of the healthcare system as healthcare professionals not only rely on blood tests to diagnose and treat patients, but also to rule out the different contributing causes to a disease state.  In vitro diagnostics also plays a key role in monitoring chronic disease states.  In vitro diagnostics can also aid in reducing hospital stays, reduce misdiagnosis and support patients in looking after their own health and to deliver personalised treatment plans.

The Randox scientists have developed several niche assays to improve patient diagnosis, monitor treatment and eliminate misdiagnosis.

Adiponectin

Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted by adipocytes with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising properties.  It plays an important role in a number of metabolic processes including glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation.  Adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with abdominal visceral fat which have proven to be a strong predictor of several pathologies, including: metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cancers and cardiovascular disease (CVD).  For more information on the importance of testing Adiponectin levels, check out our Adiponectin Whitepaper.

Cystatin C

Cystatin C is an early risk marker for renal impairment.  The most commonly run test for renal impairment is Creatinine.  Creatinine measurements have proven to be inadequate as certain factors must be taken into consideration, including age, gender, ethnicity etc.  The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have updated their guidelines, which now recommends Cystatin C as a more superior test for renal impairment due to its higher specificity for significant disease outcomes than those based on Creatinine.  For more information on the importance of testing Cystatin C levels, check out our Cystatin C Whitepaper.

Small-dense LDL Cholesterol (sdLDL-C)

LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) consists of two parts: the large and buoyant LDL Cholesterol and the small and dense LDL Cholesterol.  Whilst all LDL-C transports triglycerides and cholesterol to bodily tissues, their atherogensis varies according to their size.  As sdLDL-C is small and dense, they can more readily permeate the arterial wall and are more susceptible to oxidation.  Research indicates that individuals with a predominance of sdLDL-C have a 3-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction.  It has been noted that sdLDL-C carries less Cholesterol than large LDL, therefore a patient with predominately sdLDL-C particle may require nearly 70% more sdLDL-C particles to carry the same amount of cholesterol as the patient with predominately LDL-C particles.  For more information on the importance of testing sdLDL-C levels, check out our sdLDL-C Whitepaper.

These three niche in vitro diagnostics tests developed by Randox scientists can aid in reducing NHS costs due to their higher performance compared to the traditional tests.  Randox are constantly striving to improve healthcare worldwide.

For more information on the extensive range of Randox third-party in vitro diagnostic reagents, visit: https://www.randox.com/diagnostic-reagents/ or contact reagents@randox.com.