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Lipid Metabolism In The Hypothalamus: Implications For Obesity And Diabetes Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,915.00
Summary
Obesity is defined by excessive fat storage and defective lipid metabolism, not only in adipose tissue, but also in most tissues throughout the body. Obesity-induced changes in lipid metabolism extends to the brain and is associated with impaired cognitive function. This work aims to determine how obesity affects neurons in the key feeding centres of the brain, and whether excessive lipid storage in neurons induces changes in body weight regulation and metabolism.
Determinants Of Brown Adipose Tissue Activation - Implication For The Regulation Of Energy Balance And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,192.00
Summary
One of the most important recent findings in the biology of obesity has been the revelation that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present and functional in adult humans. Even more important, the amount of BAT seems to be related to the extent of obesity. The challenge now is to harness the means by which BAT is activated. Understanding the central neural control pathways and the rate limiting steps in the BAT itself will pave the way for new anti-obesity strategies.
Curing Fatty Muscles: Understanding The Role Of PLIN5 In Lipid Metabolism And Tissue Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,162.00
Summary
Diseases associated with the deposition of lipids in muscle are becoming an increasingly important medical problem as the incidence of obesity increases. Skeletal muscle and cardiac function are greatly altered by excessive lipid deposition. The protein PLIN5 is important in regulating fat metabolism. This project aims to determine the functions of PLIN5, how PLIN5 is regulated and whether altering PLIN5 contributes to the development of diabetes and heart failure.
This research will elucidate pathways in the brain that control satiety, in particular the role of neuropeptide Y and the satiety hormones peptide YY and pancreatic polypeptide. By understanding how satiety is controlled, this process could be stimulated for potential use as a novel treatment strategy for obesity or anorexia.
There is a link between maternal lipids and newborn weight as well as other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal lipids _ serum level, dietary intake and change in maternal lipids during pregnancy may be important in determining not only immediate pregnancy and newborn outcomes but also longer term problems for mother and child. As yet, we do not know whether altering maternal lipids will change outcomes or how to influence lipid levels in practice or how best to approach this.
This research proposal will identify changes in liver-secreted proteins during the development of fatty liver, and in the transition from fatty liver to the more advanced form of liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Understanding the differences in protein secretion between NASH patients and patients with normal/fatty liver will provide the opportunity to identify disease biomarkers that could be determined from a blood sample. This will provide a major shift in clinical care.
Does Mitochondrial Metabolism In Neurons Act To Link Peripheral Metabolic State To Motivated Food-seeking Behaviour?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,697.00
Summary
Obesity, and its associated pathologies, is a major disease concern. The brain systems that regulate food intake and body weight break down under the strain of obesity and this creates a vicious cycle where failure to regulate metabolism promotes further weight gain. I am investigating how the mitochondrial enzyme CPT1c regulates these brain systems, and whether obesity impairs CPT1c function. Understanding CPT1c function in the brain will help us understand the causes of obesity and diabetes.
Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. These inter-related diseases reduce life expectancy and their treatments come at an enormous financial cost. The overriding aim of this work is to understand the molecular and cellular regulation of lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue, and how this impacts endocrine function to affect the pathogenesis of types 2 diabetes and prostate cancer.
The Role Of GAPDH Acetylation And HDAC6 In Liver Metabolism And Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,428.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterised by persistent elevated blood glucose levels. Altered liver metabolism is a key contributor to elevated blood glucose levels in T2D, through uncontrolled synthesis and release of glucose. This project will examine whether regulation of a metabolic enzyme called GAPDH by a process termed acetylation, contributes to normal liver glucose metabolism. This project will also assess whether altered GAPDH acetylation contributes to hyperglycaemia in T2D.
An Essential Role For Skeletal Muscle FoxO1 In Protecting Against Obesity-induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,888.00
Summary
Skeletal muscle is the largest organ in the human body and accounts for approximately 80% of glucose disposal after a meal. We have identified a transcription factor, namely FoxO1, that appears protect against obesity-induced insulin resistance by promoting energy consumption. This project will examine whether skeletal muscle specific activation of FoxO1 is a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance.