Role Of Circulating Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) In Diabetic Nephropathy: Effect Of Benfotiamine Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,000.00
Summary
Advanced glycation products (AGEs) are compounds formed by the addition of sugars to amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). The addition of sugars to proteins induces biological changes that have been implicated in the development of diabetic complications, especially diabetic kidney disease. AGEs are a diverse group of compounds and to date the exact role that specific AGEs play in the causation of diabetic kidney disease is still unclear. However, new methods are now available that all ....Advanced glycation products (AGEs) are compounds formed by the addition of sugars to amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). The addition of sugars to proteins induces biological changes that have been implicated in the development of diabetic complications, especially diabetic kidney disease. AGEs are a diverse group of compounds and to date the exact role that specific AGEs play in the causation of diabetic kidney disease is still unclear. However, new methods are now available that allow the comprehensive quantification of individual AGE levels in blood. Our study involves the comparison of AGE blood levels, as a group or as specific AGEs with markers of diabetic kidney disease such as albumin (protein) excretion in the urine and the rate that the kidney filters the blood to form urine (glomerular filtration rate). Benfotiamine is a thiamine (vitamin B1) derivative that has been shown to decrease the formation of AGEs and to prevent kidney disease in diabetic animals. The present clinical study will assess whether benfotiamine has similar effects on AGEs and kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. If successful, this study has the potential to provide a new treatment strategy for diabetic kidney disease in humans.Read moreRead less
Diabetes affects over one million Australians and is an increasing health problem in Australia and worldwide. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels, harming the kidneys and eyes and large blood vessels leading to heart attack, stroke and leg amputation. The research team leading this Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) has wide experience in diabetes research and includes experts in diabetes management in hospitals and in the community setting of general practice. There is special e ....Diabetes affects over one million Australians and is an increasing health problem in Australia and worldwide. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels, harming the kidneys and eyes and large blood vessels leading to heart attack, stroke and leg amputation. The research team leading this Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) has wide experience in diabetes research and includes experts in diabetes management in hospitals and in the community setting of general practice. There is special expertise in eye disease and in dietary management of diabetes. The research team will conduct research into diabetes, both type 1 diabetes, which usual starts in childhood, and type 2 diabetes that generally affects middle aged or older people, although increasingly is occurring in younger adults as the population becomes more obese. We will focus on the complications, which are common to both types of diabetes, looking for ways to detect them early and prevent them. Our studies will involve groups of up to 10,000 people with diabetes, sometimes followed over 5 or more years. Indigenous Australian groups will be included in the studies as they have a high rates of diabetes and its complications. We will also study ways in which people with type 2 diabetes can be more involved in improving the management of their illness. An exciting part of the study program will involve patients having transplants of insulin producing human islet cells. Although this treatment will be available for only a few patients, it is an important advance towards future treatments using human cells. The CCRE will have a very strong focus on recruiting and training the next generation of doctors and other clinicians involved in diabetes research, including nurses, dietitians and optometrists.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Androgen Replacement Therapy On Bone And Muscle Health In Men With Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Low testosterone (T) levels are common in men with poor kidney function. Low T is known to cause reduced energy, decreased strength and low libido. Normal T is also needed for healthy bones and muscles. Men with kidney disease are already at risk of fractures, poor strength and quality of life. However, there are few studies that look at replacing T to men with kidney failure. We will investigate how low T affects bone and muscle and assess how giving T can benefit bone, muscle and function.
Clinically Severe Obesity: A Better Understanding Of A Complex Condition, Improving Health Outcomes Through Effective Therapies, And Delivering A Comprehensive Clinical Pathway.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,539.00
Summary
Clinically severe obesity impacts on the health of 7-8% or 1.5 million Australians, yet poor access to integrated effective care. This challenging area of healthcare is distorted by perceptions and beliefs that are frequently contrary to clinical and physiological research findings. Professor Dixon’s plan is to: 1) To learn more about clinically severe obesity, 2) improve the assessment and delivery of effective care, and 3) improve clinical capacity to better care for these Australians.
The Menstrual Cycle, Menopause And Gender Specific Health Needs Of Women With Complex Medical And Psychiatric Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,982.00
Summary
The great advances in medical science mean that women are living longer, sometimes with very complex conditions.The aim of this study is to determine how common women’s health issues are in women who have had a lung or bone marrow transplant and in women with severe mental illness. The study will involve face to face interview with women and then a survey of a larger number of women. The study will help improve the care and quality of life of women who already face significant health challenges.
Type 2 Diabetic Renal Complications And Microvascular Injury: Novel Predictors Of Onset And Progression, Mechanisms Of Association With Cardiovascular Disease And The Benefits Of Fenofibrate.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,448.00
Summary
We will investigate the mechanisms of diabetic complications related to kidney and blood vessel disease, focusing on identifying people at greater risk and ways to improve or prevent these complications. In addition, we will look at how diabetic kidney disease affects non-kidney related problems like heart disease and examine the benefit of fenofibrate on both. This greater understanding will aid further drug development in kidney and cardiovascular diseases.
This study aims to identify naturally occurring genetic variations between men which modify the impact of testosterone, the major male hormone, on men's health and medical care. This study will examine new factors which determine how much any particular man may gain benefit from testosterone exposure such as in muscle and bone development as well as suffer detrimental effects on cardiovascular and prostate diseases. This may clarify some new aspects of how men's health is determined as well as d ....This study aims to identify naturally occurring genetic variations between men which modify the impact of testosterone, the major male hormone, on men's health and medical care. This study will examine new factors which determine how much any particular man may gain benefit from testosterone exposure such as in muscle and bone development as well as suffer detrimental effects on cardiovascular and prostate diseases. This may clarify some new aspects of how men's health is determined as well as developing new, customized medical treatments for men.Read moreRead less
Thalassaemia is the most common blood disorder worldwide. In severe cases, life-long blood transfusions are needed to survive but complications including iron overload and bone disease can occur. Deferasirox, a drug used to treat iron overload has been linked to kidney stones and bone loss in these patients through increased loss of calcium in the urine. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether bone loss can be reversed by using a diuretic or an alternative iron chelator.
Identifying Novel Targets To Treat And Prevent Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to ....Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of disease in diabetes.Read moreRead less