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
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
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.
Role Of ApoCIII In The Regulation Of Lipoprotein Metabolism In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,320.00
Summary
Obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. Associated with the state of obesity are elevated levels of blood fats and thus an increased risk for heart disease. Fats in the blood originate from dietary sources and from synthesis by the liver. In obesity, the secretion of blood fats, or lipoproteins, is elevated compared with non-obese individuals. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the clearance of these fats from the blood are impaired resulting in elevated levels of fat circulating ....Obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. Associated with the state of obesity are elevated levels of blood fats and thus an increased risk for heart disease. Fats in the blood originate from dietary sources and from synthesis by the liver. In obesity, the secretion of blood fats, or lipoproteins, is elevated compared with non-obese individuals. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the clearance of these fats from the blood are impaired resulting in elevated levels of fat circulating in the body. A particular protein, called apolipoprotein CIII, plays an important role in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism. Obese subjects have elevated levels of this apoprotein and we have hypothesised that this is responsible for the impaired lipoprotein clearance observed in these subjects. In general, obese subjects are insulin resistant, although they may not be frank diabetics. Blood insulin levels regulate apolipoprotein CIII concentrations, however, in a state of insulin resistance, as seen in obese subjects, apolipoprotein CIII levels are elevated resulting in high blood fat levels. The focus of this research project is to determine if the level and production of apolipoprotein CIII is elevated in obese subjects compared with non-obese individuals by performing metabolic studies. In addition, we will investigate the effect of statins and fish oil, regulators of cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis respectively, on apolipoprotein CIII levels to assess the association between this and the clearance time of blood fats. If our hypothesis is correct, these studies will demonstrate a new mechanism of action of the statins and fish oil that will aid in the treatment of elevated blood fats and thus reduce the risk for heart disease in this important target population.Read moreRead less
Central Neural Mechanisms Underlying The Effect Of Endocannabinoids On Body Weight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,793.00
Summary
Obesity and its associated pathologies of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, predisposition to some cancers and infertility in women no longer needs to be justified as a major health issue in modern societies. In fact it is quickly becoming recognised as the major threat to world health. Recently, the anecdotal evidence for increased food intake, particularly the craving of high carbohydrate, high sugar foods, associated with the use of marijuana has been put into a therapeutic cont ....Obesity and its associated pathologies of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, predisposition to some cancers and infertility in women no longer needs to be justified as a major health issue in modern societies. In fact it is quickly becoming recognised as the major threat to world health. Recently, the anecdotal evidence for increased food intake, particularly the craving of high carbohydrate, high sugar foods, associated with the use of marijuana has been put into a therapeutic context. Specifically a cannabinoid receptor antagonist, rimonabant (currently undergoing trials as Accomplia) has become a central player in the race for an obesity therapy because of its effects in blocking the brain receptors that would normally respond to cannabinoid like compounds in the brain that tend to increase food intake. Despite the trials that are underway in Europe and the USA many of the central actions of the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the brain, the so-called endocannabinoids are very poorly understood. This series of experiments utilizing the best technologies available will address basic questions relating to the brain pathways involved and even the extent to which weight loss associated with the administration of these drugs to rats and presumably humans is dependent on the reduction of food intake or the burning of energy in a process called thermogenesis. These are essential pieces of information if this type of compound is to be considered as a serious contender in the search for an obesity therapyRead moreRead less
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.
Is Reducing Protein Intake The Key To Health And Longevity?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Diet has profound impacts on health and ageing. The reduction of total calorie intake (caloric restriction, CR) by 30-50% improves health and delays the onset of ageing and age-associated diseases. However, CR is unsustainable for the vast majority of humans. Recent studies have shown that manipulating dietary protein content can deliver similar health and longevity benefits as CR, without a reduction in total calories. The role of dietary protein in health and longevity will be investigated.