Effects Of Modification Of Dietary Sodium Intake On Endothelial Function In Obese Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,920.00
Summary
The effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure are well known. The damaging direct effects of salt on blood vessels is less well known. This study will clarify whether reducing salt to the amount recommended by Australian health authorities for 6 weeks has a beneficial effect on blood vessels. It builds on an earlier 2 week study which demonstrated that reducing salt intake had a beneficial effect on blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to show whether this benefit is maintained in a ....The effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure are well known. The damaging direct effects of salt on blood vessels is less well known. This study will clarify whether reducing salt to the amount recommended by Australian health authorities for 6 weeks has a beneficial effect on blood vessels. It builds on an earlier 2 week study which demonstrated that reducing salt intake had a beneficial effect on blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to show whether this benefit is maintained in a longer study over 6 weeks.Read moreRead less
Role Of Resident Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Melanoma Vascularisation And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,328.00
Summary
Melanoma is one of the most frequent cancers in Australia. Its growth depends on the rpoper delivery of nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels. This requires the formation of new blood vessels as the tumour grows. In this project we intend to understand the origin of the blood vessels that form in tumours and identify the stem cells that support them. We will use proof of principle experiments to determine whether removal of these stem cells allows the regression of melanoma tumours.
A Sweet Therapeutic For Vascular Disease In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,453.00
Summary
This project will advance a new drug to treat pregnant women diagnosed with the disease preeclampsia, and prevent them and their baby from becoming seriously ill. It will investigate how a novel sugar compound acts directly on the mother's blood vessels to restore normal vascular function, and provide the necessary preclinical proof-of-concept data to proceed to clinical trials.
Fetal Endothelial Progenitors From The Placenta As A Source For Cell Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,072.00
Summary
The recent years have seen a rise in interest in collecting stem cells for future therapies. One example is the commercial offer of banking cord blood stem cells upon birth. In this project, we propose that the placenta, always discarded at the end of pregnancy, is another organ with high numbers of stem cells especially able to make blood vessels. We will examine if these cells can be expanded and used in treatment of situations with a need of increased blood supply such as cardiovascular disor ....The recent years have seen a rise in interest in collecting stem cells for future therapies. One example is the commercial offer of banking cord blood stem cells upon birth. In this project, we propose that the placenta, always discarded at the end of pregnancy, is another organ with high numbers of stem cells especially able to make blood vessels. We will examine if these cells can be expanded and used in treatment of situations with a need of increased blood supply such as cardiovascular disorders or skin wounds.Read moreRead less
Activation Transcription Factor-4: Novel Regulator Of Smooth Muscle Cell Repair And Intimal Thickening Through Tenascin C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$228,313.00
Summary
CVD represents the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, accounting for 35% of all deaths in Australia. Smooth muscle cell growth accounts for a range of vascular proliferative disorders. This project focuses on understanding the role of ATF-4 as a new key regulator of SMC proliferation and intimal thickening in injured vessels. Moreover, strategies targeting ATF-4 will facilitate future therapeutic strategies to control intimal thickening in patients with vascular diseas ....CVD represents the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, accounting for 35% of all deaths in Australia. Smooth muscle cell growth accounts for a range of vascular proliferative disorders. This project focuses on understanding the role of ATF-4 as a new key regulator of SMC proliferation and intimal thickening in injured vessels. Moreover, strategies targeting ATF-4 will facilitate future therapeutic strategies to control intimal thickening in patients with vascular disease.Read moreRead less
Improving Anti-cancer Therapy By Stromal Targeting And Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,742.00
Summary
We have developed a new drug which binds to abnormal cancer blood vessels. Upon binding, shape and tone of cancer vessels are restored and they become tighter. Our research will now test whether combining this new drug with current standard-of-care therapies such as chemo- and immunotherapy, will improve cytotoxic drugs and also make the immune system work better to fight the cancer. We also expect that tightening of blood vessels will stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.