Aberrant Oligosaccharide Processing Of Nox2-oxidase As A Mechanism Of Vascular Oxidative Stress In Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,565.00
Summary
Excessive production of free radicals by an enzyme called Nox2 may be a cause of artery disease leading to heart attacks and strokes. This study will identify whether the addition of sugarchains to Nox2 causes it to be expressed at the surface of cells allowing the free radicals it produces to exit the cell and cause damage to the blood vessel wall. Charaterising this new pathway of excessive free radical production may pave the way for new diagnostics and treatments for artery disease.
The Vasoprotective Actions Of Flavonoids In Ischaemia And Hypercholesterolaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,018.00
Summary
Diet has a major influence on the incidence of coronary artery disease. Thus in populations where large amounts of fruits, vegetables and legumes are consumed with a low proportion of food from animal sources there is a relatively lower incidence of coronary artery disease. A possible explanation for the beneficial actions of this diet is that it provides a high level of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have a number of biological actions that may prevent coronary artery disease. Flavonoi ....Diet has a major influence on the incidence of coronary artery disease. Thus in populations where large amounts of fruits, vegetables and legumes are consumed with a low proportion of food from animal sources there is a relatively lower incidence of coronary artery disease. A possible explanation for the beneficial actions of this diet is that it provides a high level of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have a number of biological actions that may prevent coronary artery disease. Flavonoids can relax blood vessels which would improve blood flow to organs. In addition they may lower the level of LDL cholesterol, the bad form of cholesterol that promotes artery narrowing. They may also have actions that prevent damage that normally occurs to organs when there is an interruption to blood flow, such as occurs when someone has a heart attack or stroke. This project will investigate the ability of selected flavonoids to prevent injury to blood vessels that occurs when there is an interruption to blood flow or when cholesterol levels are too high. Understanding the actions of flavonoids may lead to the development of new therapies to prevent or treat heart attacks and stroke.Read moreRead less
Targeting Arginase In Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$243,945.00
Summary
Peripheral artery occlusive disease causes narrowing of large peripheral blood vessels which can result in severe pain, gangrene and stroke. Its prevalence is steadily increasing in western countries. This proposal aims to characterize the role of an enzyme (arginase) in PAOD and determine whether it may be a new drug target for treatment of this disease.
Heme-oxidised Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase, A Mechanism-based Target For Vascular Diagnostics And Vasoprotective Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,456.00
Summary
Nitric oxide is produced in the inner lining of blood vessels and maintains blood flow via binding to a specific protein, sGC. In disease, sGC is defective and can be targeted by a novel group of drugs which are more active in diseased versus normal blood vessels. This project will examine the use of these drugs as markers of cardiovascular disease and in the treatment of high cholesterol and may lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies for vascular complications.
The In Vivo And In Vitro Biology Of The Novel Intracellular Ion Channel CLIC1 (NCC27)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
Ion channels are complex proteins that regulate the transports of salts, and essential cell function. We have recently cloned a new ion channel, CLIC1, unique in its location on the nuclear membrane as well as other sites. The function of this channel is uncertain, although we have suggested its association with cell growth and inflammation. We propose to investigate the function of CLIC1, dominantly based on gene knockout animals, in which the CLIC1 gene has been deleted.