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Oestrogens And The Metabolic Process: Regulatory Interaction With The GH-IGF-system In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,970.00
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) plays a key role in controlling body metabolism, fat and muscle in adult life. The female hormone oestrogen controls how much GH is secreted and how well it acts. Drugs that act like or interfere with the action of oestrogen are used increasing for the treatment of many conditions e.g. growth, cancer and osteoporosis. This proposal examines their impact on cardiovascular and physical health.
The Metabolic Effects Of Oestrogens And SERMs: Regulatory Interactions With The GH-IGF-system In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,142.00
Summary
This project extends work aimed at understanding how GH and sex hormones work together to optimise physical health in women and men. It addresses the benefits and safety of oestrogen compounds in relation to their effects on body fat and muscle (body composition). Oestrogen compounds are among the most widely used medicines and include tradition oestrogens (female hormone) and synthetic oestrogens called SERMs. Oestrogens are used in young women as oral contraception and in the postmenopause for ....This project extends work aimed at understanding how GH and sex hormones work together to optimise physical health in women and men. It addresses the benefits and safety of oestrogen compounds in relation to their effects on body fat and muscle (body composition). Oestrogen compounds are among the most widely used medicines and include tradition oestrogens (female hormone) and synthetic oestrogens called SERMs. Oestrogens are used in young women as oral contraception and in the postmenopause for replacement therapy. Body composition is an important determinant of fitness and health. Obesity reduces fitness and increases the risk of diabetes and heart attacks while muscle loss causes weakness and frailty. GH is a major regulator of body composition; it acts by breaking down fat and building muscle mass. We discovered that oestrogens, when taken as a tablet interferes with the action of GH and causes detrimental changes in body composition. On the positive side, we have exploited the GH blocking action to treat acromegaly. This is a debilitating disease of excessive GH production from a pituitary tumour and for which available drug treatments are very expensive and require injection. The effects of SERMs on body composition are unknown. SERMs are interesting compounds because they act like oestrogens in some but as oestrogen blockers in other tissues. These are widely used in the treatment of breast cancer and osteoporosis. The extent to which they interfere with the action of GH has not been studied. They may exert additional effects because they act on the pituitary gland to reduce the secretion of GH. They may also prove to be effective in acromegaly which could extend their usefulness to men. In summary, the work will provide important information on the long-term benefits of SERMs in patient groups that tend to be frail. It may also prove to be a simple and inexpensive treatment for acromegaly.Read moreRead less
Adolescent Males' Beliefs And Feelings About The Consequences Of A Partner's Pregnancy: A Survey And Intervention Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,095.00
Summary
Each year, in Australia, approximately 28,000 adolescents become pregnant. The psychological, social and financial cost of adolescent pregnancy in Australia is substantial, in both the long and short term. An unexpected finding in North American studies is that a substantial number of adolescent pregnancies occur by design. Prevention programs in Australia and elsewhere assume adolescents do not wish to become pregnant and focus on educating adolescents about causes rather than consequences. Res ....Each year, in Australia, approximately 28,000 adolescents become pregnant. The psychological, social and financial cost of adolescent pregnancy in Australia is substantial, in both the long and short term. An unexpected finding in North American studies is that a substantial number of adolescent pregnancies occur by design. Prevention programs in Australia and elsewhere assume adolescents do not wish to become pregnant and focus on educating adolescents about causes rather than consequences. Research conducted by one of us (JAQ) found that over 75% of pregnant teenagers said they had deliberately become pregnant. Another of us (JTC) studied 1,500 Australian adolescents attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy and parenthood. The findings showed high levels of idealisation, especially in males. Males have been largely neglected in adolescent pregnancy research. The first component of this study is a survey of 500 adolescents to investigate their attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy occurring in a sexual partner, and the consequences of that event for them both. The assessment tool is a computer role-play simulation with its starting point the announcement of a pregnancy. The intervention study involves 300 adolescents and comprises viewing and discussing a video in which 4 adolescent males talk about their experiences of the consequences of pregnancy in a sexual partner. The use of 4 groups with different sequences of assessment and intervention will enable us to ascertain the effectiveness of the intervention. Of particular interest is whether the video or the role-play makes any impact on idealised attitudes and beliefs. This research is the first undertaken on adolescent male attitudes and beliefs using a computer role-play. It will provide essential information for the development of effective, male-oriented prevention programs which focus on consequences as well as causes of adolescent pregnancy.Read moreRead less
Monogamy As An HIV And STI Prevention Strategy For Gay Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,506.00
Summary
Monogamy is relatively common among Australian gay men and yet relatively under researched or explored. At present we know little about the motivations of Australian gay men to enter and maintain monogamous relationships. This study will bring into clear view a phenomenon, and social and intimate practice, that has been almost entirely overlooked and will significantly advance our understanding of the dynamics of gay men's sexual behaviour and sexual cultures.
Women's Hormones And Health Across The Adult Life Span
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Sex hormones are important in younger and older women’s health. However, normal levels of sex hormones for women of different ages and the extent to which sex hormones are associated with common health outcomes are yet to be established. These issues will be systematically studied in comprehensive, community-based studies of younger and older Australian women. The findings will be immediately translated into clinical practice guidelines and community education.
Sex Hormones And Heart Disease In Older Women Study (The SHOW Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,672.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD, heart disease and stroke) is the leading cause of death in women aged 65 and over. Counter-intuitively, androgens may be as, or even more important, than estrogens in determining CVD risk and all-cause mortality in women, but this is yet to be verified. We will document blood levels of androgens in women aged 70+ and determine whether androgens are associated with CVD and death in this large cohort of elderly well women.
Hypospadias, is a common defect, in which the urethra opens abnormally along the shaft of the penis not at the tip. It affects 1 in every 125 boys born in Victoria each year. However, the cause(s) of over two-thirds of these cases cannot be explained. Our studies using marsupials show that this process is mediated by a hormone (5alpha-androstanediol), with previously undetermined physiological function. This study will provide novel data on the interactions of the genes and hormones that result ....Hypospadias, is a common defect, in which the urethra opens abnormally along the shaft of the penis not at the tip. It affects 1 in every 125 boys born in Victoria each year. However, the cause(s) of over two-thirds of these cases cannot be explained. Our studies using marsupials show that this process is mediated by a hormone (5alpha-androstanediol), with previously undetermined physiological function. This study will provide novel data on the interactions of the genes and hormones that result in defects of penile development.Read moreRead less
Towards A Chlamydia Vaccine For Males: The Key Role Of Mucosal IgA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,978.00
Summary
Genital Chlamydia infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia with annual health costs of 90-160 million dollars. Infection rates in 15-29 olds are increasing at 15-20% per year in both females and males. Antibiotics are currently the treatment of choice, however antibiotic resistance is increasing and most infections are asymptomatic and not treated in the absence of screening programs. This project aims to develop a Chlamydia vaccine tailored to protect males .