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Muscle Thermogenesis In Models Of Predisposition To Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,289.00
Summary
Obesity is a major health crisis, but effective treatments remain elusive. Body weight is determined by a balance of food intake and energy expenditure. Understanding both sides of this equation is essential to combating obesity. This project will show that the rate at which muscle uses energy is an important determinant of energy balance and contributes to the propensity to become obese. The work will define muscle as a target for developing anti-obesity therapies.
Interrogation Of Two Novel Genetic Susceptibility Loci For Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,615.00
Summary
This proposal, from the Australia and New Zealand multiple sclerosis (MS) Genetics Consortium, aims to interrogate two new genes that it recently identified as predisposing for the development of MS. Both of the genes underlying these findings are also associated with risk of developing other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Graves' disease.
Improving Successful Long-term Weight Loss By Deactivating The Human Famine Reaction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$799,102.00
Summary
There are more than 7 million overweight or obese adults in Australia. With conventional methods of weight loss, only 5% of these people will be able to achieve permanent weight reduction of any significance to health outcomes. This project aims to develop more effective and permanent methods of weight management through comparing effectiveness of continuous versus intermittent dieting; and determining what metabolic, hormonal and behavioural factors predict weight regain.
Climate Change And Rural Communities: Integrated Study Of Physical And Social Impacts, Health Risks And Adaptive Options
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,599.00
Summary
Rural Australia has begun to experience climate change impacts - which will increase in future. Losses in farm yields, water supplies, property, community morale and family incomes have diverse health effects. We will study the separate and joint effects of climate change and associated extreme events (e.g., bushfires) on selected health outcomes. Using integrative methods, we will clarify the main influences on health risks, their future projections, and how best to intervene to lessen risks.
The Physiology Of Brown Adipose Tissue In Adult Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,026.00
Summary
Brown fat, unlike ordinary fat generates heat by burning calories to maintain body temperature. Originally thought to disappear after birth, recent research including our own have shown that brown fat exists in adult humans in varying amounts. Our aim is to find ways of turning on people�s brown fat allowing them to lose weight by burning more calories.
Adrenergic Activation Of Brown Adipose Tissue In Humans.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,301.00
Summary
Obesity is a major health and financial threat to society in the near future, thus new anti-obesity therapies are essential. Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) can increase resting energy expenditure by 20%, and its recent conclusive identification in adults renewed interest in its potential as an anti-obesity target. We will determine whether BAT can be activated pharmacologically in humans, whether obesity reduces its activity and if long-term drug treatment can increase BAT function.
The Role Of Dietary Protein On Weight Loss And Body Composition In Men And Women With Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$208,055.00
Summary
Obesity is an increasing problem in the community and is associated with an increased incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Although conventional dietary advice for weight loss is a low fat high carbohydrate and high fibre diet there is a very strong interest in the media and the general population in alternative diets that feature reduced carbohydrate with the remainder of the diet either protein or a mixture of protein and fat ....Obesity is an increasing problem in the community and is associated with an increased incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Although conventional dietary advice for weight loss is a low fat high carbohydrate and high fibre diet there is a very strong interest in the media and the general population in alternative diets that feature reduced carbohydrate with the remainder of the diet either protein or a mixture of protein and fat. Unfortunately there is very little published data to guide the decisions of health professionals in this area and there is a strong demand for such information. We plan to perform 2 large weight loss studies which focus on high protein diets with one exchanging protein for carbohydrate and keeping fat constant and the second exchanging protein for fat keeping carbohydrate constant. We will assess whether the high protein diets blunt the decrease in metabolic rate that occurs with weight loss, and whether it spares some of the inevitable loss of muscle mass. We will also measure whether high protein diets improve glucose metabolism in people already at risk of diabetes and heart disease because of their obesity and high insulin levels.Read moreRead less
Effects Of The Fatty Acid, Lauric Acid, On Energy Intake And Gut Motor And Hormonal Function In Health And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,645.00
Summary
Obesity is largely due to energy intake exceeding energy expenditure, thus, strategies that reduce energy intake will result in weight loss. We discovered recently that the fatty acid, lauric acid, markedly reduces energy intake. Our studies will determine the effects of lauric acid on energy intake and body weight reduction in obese subjects. The research is a new initiative and explores the potential of lauric acid as a novel, nutrient-based and side-effect free approach to obesity management.
The incidence of obesity is increasing alarmingly throughout the world. In this proposal we aim to explore one side of the energy equation - energy expenditure. We will conduct a series of detailed studies in genetically modified mice to examine the role of the brain versus muscle in whole body energy expenditure. These studies have significant implications for therapeutic management of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.