The Role Of Seipin In Adipocyte Development And Lipid Droplet Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,258.00
Summary
The prevalence of obesity and its related disorders has reached an alarming level in Australia and other developed countries. Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of fully-differentiated adipocytes loaded with lipid droplets (LDs). We aim to characterize seipin, which regulate both lipid droplet formation and adipocyte differentiation. Results from our proposed studies may offer novel therapeutic strategies against human obesity.
Carnitine Acetyltransferase (CrAT) Regulates Appetite And Body Weight Through The Melanocortin System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,087.00
Summary
Carnitine metabolism in peripheral tissues, such as muscle, maintains appropriate cellular metabolism and function. Little is known about carnitine metabolism in specific populations of brain cells regulate food intake and appetite. This project aims to understand how carnitine metabolism affect brain cells that regulate food intake and body weight.
Neural Sensing Of Hunger Links Homeostatic And Reward Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,366.00
Summary
Cells in the brain that respond to signals of hunger also increase motivation to obtain food and there reward value of food. This proposal examines how these hunger cells, called AgRP cells, sense changes in metabolic state in order to increase motivation and food reward pathways. We believe that understanding this process may help us understand why obese individuals overeat foods high in sugar and fat.
NAFLD, NASH And Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms & Potential Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,992.00
Summary
Liver cancer is one of the most common and fatal cancers world-wide. In developed countries, the past three decades has seen its incidence treble becoming the fastest rising cause of cancer deaths. In some patients liver cancer seems to be caused by obesity. The reason why some obese patients get liver cancer and others do not is unknown. In addition, there are few treatment options. In these studies we will research what causes liver cancer in obesity and test two new potential therapies.
Deciphering The Metabolic And Endocrine Profile Of Healthy Adipocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,194.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, however, it is becoming clear that it is where the excess fat is stored that is more important when predicting the health risks associated with obesity. This project aims to identify whether adipocyte progenitor cells, which eventually become fat cells, are ‘preprogrammed’ and whether differences in these cells explain the generation of either healthy or unhealthy fat in different locations of the body.
Mechanistic Studies Of Medium-chain Fatty Acids In Metabolism And Obesity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
A major factor underpinning metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes is unlimited access to high-fat diets. However, not all lipids have detrimental effects on metabolic health. Diets rich in medium-chain fatty acids are associated with reduced adiposity and preserved insulin action. This project will examine the mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of MCFA, with focus on a novel MCFA-receptor (GPR84) as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of metabolic disease.
Regulation Of Pancreatic Beta-cell Number And Function By Adipocyte-released Hormones, Free Fatty Acids And Ghrelin.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,500.00
Summary
The disease diabetes mellitus comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders all characterised by high blood glucose levels. Beta-cells in the pancreas, which secrete insulin, are central to the pathophysiology of the disease. Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus results from an absolute deficiency of insulin due to auto immunological destruction of the pancreatic beta cell, and accounts for 5-10% of total diabetes mellitus. In the more common type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mell ....The disease diabetes mellitus comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders all characterised by high blood glucose levels. Beta-cells in the pancreas, which secrete insulin, are central to the pathophysiology of the disease. Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus results from an absolute deficiency of insulin due to auto immunological destruction of the pancreatic beta cell, and accounts for 5-10% of total diabetes mellitus. In the more common type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, liver, muscle and fat cells are resistant to the action of insulin and compensatory mechanisms that are activated in the beta-cell to increase insulin secretion are not sufficient to maintain normal blood glucose levels. In Western countries including Australia, type 2 diabetes currently affects around 2% of the whole population and about 6% of adults (10% of over 60-y) and continues to grow at around 6% per annum. Type 2 diabetes often occurs in obese patients and a direct link between obesity and type 2 diabetes has been strongly suggested by research to date. It has also been found that a progressive loss of beta-cell function throughout the course of the disease results in the reduction of insulin secretion. The contribution of excessive fat tissue in obese patients to the progress of type 2 diabetes is not clear. Certain hormones from fat cells, metabolic regulatory hormone, and fatty acids have been demonstrated to influence the function of beta-cells in previous studies, including our own. We now aim to investigate in detail the effect of these on cultured beta-cells with molecular and cell biology techniques. We expect to identify a factor or factors which stimulate or inhibit the progress of beta-cell dysfunction, with the potential to identify therapeutic targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Read moreRead less
Diet-induced obesity is the foremost health concern in today�s society and causes many metabolic problems that lead to type diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This grant identifies ghrelin resistance, as a novel metabolic adaptation during obesity. Ghrelin is a hormone that normally stimulates food intake and body weight gain, however during obesity ghrelin does not stimulate food intake. Artificial induction of ghrelin resistance will restrict the development of diet _induced obesity.
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.