Impact Of Advanced Glycation On Anti-atherogenic Properties Of High Density Lipoprotein
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,471.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is a rapidly growing medical problem in Australia and around the world. Diabetes affects human health through its complications and the cardiovascular complications are a cause for major concern. One of the complications is the effect on plasma lipids: it makes cholesterol carrying particles to accumulate in the blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis. We intend to investigate how diabetes modify these particles making them atherogenic.
The Differential Innervation Of Fat - Potential To Target Visceral Adiposity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,818.00
Summary
Levels of abdominal fat are closely correlated with metabolic syndrome. We propose experiments to identify unique characteristics (neurotransmitters or receptors) of neurons deep in the brain that project specifically to this type of fat or other less harmful subcutaneous fat. We can then test the functional significance of these unique elements in animal experimets involving gene knockdown or pharmacological approaches to modify their function and test the effect on fat distribution
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.
The Role Of Circadian Rhythm Genes In The Regulation Of Energy Balance And Substrate Metabolism In Muscle And Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,263.00
Summary
Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and as the standard of living increases in developing countries such as India and China, the incidence of obesity and its related diseases of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer will become the major health problem of the 21st century. The epidemic of obesity appears to be due to a complex interaction between genetic background and changes in the environment such as reduced physical activity and increased availability and consumption of ....Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and as the standard of living increases in developing countries such as India and China, the incidence of obesity and its related diseases of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer will become the major health problem of the 21st century. The epidemic of obesity appears to be due to a complex interaction between genetic background and changes in the environment such as reduced physical activity and increased availability and consumption of high energy food. The accumulation of excess body fat in most individuals is not a precipitous event that occurs over a few days or weeks. Obesity actually occurs insidiously over a period years and is essentially the cumulative result of small differences in daily energy balance. In humans and animals energy balance is subject to diurnal or day-night variations in body temperature, feeding behaviour and physical activity (sleep-wake cycles). Recent research has determined that all tissues in the body have the same genes that regulate circadian (daily) rhythms in the brain. It has also become clear that the expression of these gene cycles over 24 hours in muscle liver and fat tissue the same way that they do in the brain. What is not understood is the extent to which these circadian genes control energy metabolism pathways such as glucose and fat utilisation and storage in liver and muscle. The aim of this grant is to test the effects of changing diet, feeding times and circulating hormones on metabolism and gene expression in muscle and liver to determine the extent to which circadian rhythm genes regulate the normal diurnal metabolism of glucose and fat and whether dysregulation of these systems contributes to metabolic disease.Read moreRead less
Sphingosine Kinase: A Target For Obesity-induced Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,845.00
Summary
Insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, is linked to abnormal metabolism of lipid (fat) in tissues such as liver and muscle. This project aims to identify a novel pathway which may promote a build up of lipids in liver and therefore leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. This work may provide a basis for understanding and optimizing treatment of insulin resistance by regulating the control of fat metabolism in liver.
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.
The Role Of Adipose Tissue Cholesterol In Metabolic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,340.00
Summary
Adipose tissue is important for human health. Adipose tissue can normally store a significant amount of cholesterol. Impairment of this function will cause a number of devastating diseases such as heart disease and stroke. The proposed work will help understand how adipose tissue store cholesterol. Results from this work may lead to novel therapeutic strategies against obesity and heart disease.