Development Of New Anti-fibrotic Drugs For Prevention Of Diabetic Nephropathy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,800.00
Summary
Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of kidney failure in the developed world. Currently there is no treatment that reduces the excessive scarring that leads to kidney failure. This project aims to test whether a series of novel compounds that have been specifically designed to reduce scarring can prevent diabetic kidney disease.
Development And Clinical Evaluation Of A Depth Of Anaesthesia Monitor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,785.00
Summary
Waking up during surgery (awareness under anaesthesia) is a frightening reality for some patients. Although uncommon (occurring in about 1 in 1000 operations), it remains one of the main concerns of patients before their surgery. Recent studies (including our own) have demonstrated that processed EEG monitoring using bispectral index (BIS) can markedly reduce the risk of awareness. Other EEG monitors are being developed, but each have weaknesses. As approximately two million Australians have a g ....Waking up during surgery (awareness under anaesthesia) is a frightening reality for some patients. Although uncommon (occurring in about 1 in 1000 operations), it remains one of the main concerns of patients before their surgery. Recent studies (including our own) have demonstrated that processed EEG monitoring using bispectral index (BIS) can markedly reduce the risk of awareness. Other EEG monitors are being developed, but each have weaknesses. As approximately two million Australians have a general anaesthetic each year, about 2000 will suffer an episode of awareness. More than 60 million people around the world have an anaesthetic, and so the problem is substantial. This suggests the potential benefits (health outcomes, commercial gains) are very great. In 2000 less than 5% of US hospitals used BIS monitoring; the current figure in the US is about 69% of the best-rated hospitals (US News and World Report) and 78% of teaching hospitals. A similar rapid growth is occurring in Australia and Europe. We are working with a successful Australian Company (Compumedics Ltd) to develop a better awareness monitor. We plan studies in groups of patients have surgery.Read moreRead less
A Novel Treatment For Ameliorating Retinal Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,685.00
Summary
Retinal vascular disease is a leading cause of blindness and is currently treated by laser photocoagulation surgery. Although successful, this treatment is associated with serious side effects. Recently, Ellex Pty has developed a novel laser called the 2RT laser that is likely to be effective without the accompanying side effects. This study will allow examine the effect of the 2RT laser in animal models of retinal vascular disease so as to complete preclinical development of this laser.
Neuropathic Pain Drugs Based On The Endogenous Opioid Peptide Endomorphin 1.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$209,470.00
Summary
We have developed a new pain drug based on the natural pain killing opioid peptide, Endomorhin 1. The new drug exhibits activity similar to morphine and gabapentin against neuropathic pain in animals but seems to act through a different mechanism. We will complete our preclinical investigation of this compound by assessing its side effect profile and tolerence inducing properties in animals. We will also continue our development of an orally active analogue of this important peptide.
Development Of A Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor For Modification Of GAG Chains And Prevention Of Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,778.00
Summary
The major health issue in Australia is vascular and cardiovascular disease resulting from obesity and diabetes. Whilst prevention strategies based on lifestyle changes are preferable, treating cardiovascular risk factors with the latest drugs has been shown to produce significant benefits. There is however a large group of patients who still acquire cardiovascular disease in spite of drug therapy. New therapies are required and these will most likely target blood vessels directly. We have identi ....The major health issue in Australia is vascular and cardiovascular disease resulting from obesity and diabetes. Whilst prevention strategies based on lifestyle changes are preferable, treating cardiovascular risk factors with the latest drugs has been shown to produce significant benefits. There is however a large group of patients who still acquire cardiovascular disease in spite of drug therapy. New therapies are required and these will most likely target blood vessels directly. We have identified a biochemical mechanism that represents a prime target for vascular wall directed therapy and we aim to exploit the therapeutic potential of this pathway by developing a drug to prevent atherosclerosis. A group of large molecules which have recently received increasing attention are the proteoglycans, combined protein-sugar molecules which are heavily coated with negatively charged groups. The binding and retention of lipids in the wall of the blood vessel is the main cause of atherosclerosis. Specifically, the length of the sugar (GAG) chains on the proteoglycans determines the binding of the lipids. We have discovered a new class of inhibitors which directly target proteoglycan synthesis in the vessel wall and greatly reduce the interaction between proteoglycans and lipids. We wish to demonstrate the efficacy of our compound in an animal model with the aim to produce a marked reduction in the rate and extent of development of atherosclerosis. This would lay the foundation for the compound to be taken into human safety trials and subsequently develop an agent for the prevention of atherosclerosis and a thus a reduction in cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less