Evaluation Of Functional Protein Molecules In Treating Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,407.00
Summary
This project aims to reduce excessive food consumption by controlling the satisfaction that people get from eating. This will be achieved through varying protein supplements (whey, leucine and beta-conglycinin) and their combinations. The idea is that people will feel satisfied despite eating less, leading to weight loss and the correction of related metabolic disorders.
Pathways For Estrogen Feedback To Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,980.00
Summary
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the brain hormone that drives the reproductive process. In the female, a surge in the secretion of GnRH is the trigger for ovulation. An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the secretion of GnRH is, therefore, extremely important if we are to decipher abnormalities that lead to infertility. Understanding of the ovulatory process is also important for the development of new (possibly simpler) means of contraception. Our research is intended to pr ....Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the brain hormone that drives the reproductive process. In the female, a surge in the secretion of GnRH is the trigger for ovulation. An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the secretion of GnRH is, therefore, extremely important if we are to decipher abnormalities that lead to infertility. Understanding of the ovulatory process is also important for the development of new (possibly simpler) means of contraception. Our research is intended to provide a full understanding of the brain circuits that provide input to the GnRH neurons. In particular, we will focus on the microcircuitry in the preoptic area, where GnRH cells are found. In addition to providing a full understanding of the circuits that are primarily involved in regulating GnRH secretion, this work will provide a substrate upon which we can expand knowledge of how factors such as emotion and stress can impact on the reproductive process.Read moreRead less
Sex Differences In The Mechanisms By Which Stress Inhibits The Secretion And Actions Of GnRH
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,055.00
Summary
It is well known that stress can impair reproduction in humans and animals but it is not understood how this occurs. Consequently there are no therapies available to overcome the detrimental effects of stress on reproduction. Stress can take many forms, such as psychological stress, surgical trauma, strenuous exercise, undernutrition, all of which may inhibit reproduction. We now know that males and females respond differently to stress and we have shown that stress is also likely to have differ ....It is well known that stress can impair reproduction in humans and animals but it is not understood how this occurs. Consequently there are no therapies available to overcome the detrimental effects of stress on reproduction. Stress can take many forms, such as psychological stress, surgical trauma, strenuous exercise, undernutrition, all of which may inhibit reproduction. We now know that males and females respond differently to stress and we have shown that stress is also likely to have different effects on reproduction in males and females. In this project we aim to determine how stress impairs reproduction in males and females. A major effect of stress appears to be to inhibit the secretion of a substance produced by the brain that is necessary for the regulation of reproduction. This substance is called gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and it acts on a small gland at the base of the brain to cause the release of hormones that are essential for reproduction in both males and females. It is also possible that stress may inhibit the actions of GnRH. Our research suggests that there may be differences between males and females in the extent to which stress inhibits the secretion of GnRH from the brain and its actions to cause the release of other reproductive hormones. In this project we will determine how stress acts in the brain to affect the secretion and actions of GnRH in males and females. Our research will make a major contribution to our knowledge of the way that stress inhibits reproduction in males and females. This information is essential in order to develop specific remedies to overcome reproductive disorders caused by stress and to improve reproductive health in both sexes.Read moreRead less
Neuroendocrine Functions Of PrRP, A Novel Hypothalamic Peptide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,928.00
Summary
This project investigates the role of a newly discovered chemical (peptide) that is found in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which regulates the activity of the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland work together to control many of the body?s essential processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction. Some human diseases are caused by abnormalities of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland while many other diseases affect the functions of these glands, leading to w ....This project investigates the role of a newly discovered chemical (peptide) that is found in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which regulates the activity of the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland work together to control many of the body?s essential processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction. Some human diseases are caused by abnormalities of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland while many other diseases affect the functions of these glands, leading to widespread complications such as weight loss, wasting, abnormal immune responses, infertility or failure of lactation. While many of the hormones and chemicals of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland have been extensively studied, recent advances in molecular biology have led to the discovery of new chemicals that may have important regulatory functions. One of these newly discovered substances which was named Prolactin-Releasing Peptide or PrRP is the topic of this project. PrRP will be tested in a series of experiments in animals in order to determine how important it is in regulating the pituitary gland, particularly in stress and during lactation which are conditions when PrRP could be secreted. It is hoped that this research will lead to a more detailed understanding of how the reproductive and endocrine system are controlled in humans and to new methods for the manipulation of these systems under normal and disease conditions.Read moreRead less
How Commonly Used Psychoactive Drugs Affect The Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,448.00
Summary
The body makes a number of responses when it is subjected to stress, and these include the secretion of hormones from the adrenal gland, including cortisol. It is not surprising that cortisol has effects upon the way the brain operates, nor is it surprising that diseases that are associated with stress (e.g. depression, alcoholism and other psychiatric complaints) create abnormal cortisol secretion. The drugs that are known to be successful in treating conditions such as depression and anxiety h ....The body makes a number of responses when it is subjected to stress, and these include the secretion of hormones from the adrenal gland, including cortisol. It is not surprising that cortisol has effects upon the way the brain operates, nor is it surprising that diseases that are associated with stress (e.g. depression, alcoholism and other psychiatric complaints) create abnormal cortisol secretion. The drugs that are known to be successful in treating conditions such as depression and anxiety have been shown to affect the secretion of cortisol, but, somewhat paradoxically, we do not precisely know how they operate. The aim of this research is to examine how drugs that are commonly used for the treatment of a number of psychiatric conditions (e.g. Prozac, Tofranil, Xanax, morphine and naltrexone) affect the secretion of hormones from the brain that ulitmately regulate the secretion of cortisol. We propose that the effects of these drugs is related to how they operate, and for how long they have been given. The findings generated by this research may help us determine new ways of diagnosing and treating a range of conditions.Read moreRead less
Reproduction is controlled by the brain through the hormone gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Leptin from fat acts on the brain to 'inform' GnRH cells of metabolic state; low levels signal lack of energy stores and suppress reproduction. Leptin treatment of lean individuals restores reproductive function, but the mechanism is not clear. Our data implicate the melanocortins as a means of transmitting information on metabolic state to GnRH cells and the project investigates this pathway.