The Regulation Of Aromatase In The Context Of Obesity And Postmenopausal Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,601.00
Summary
Current hormone therapy for breast cancer using inhibitors of oestrogen formation results in serious side-effects including bone loss, joint pain and possibly cognitive issues. Our current work is aimed at understanding how oestrogen formation is regulated with the goal of developing breast-specific inhibitors of oestrogen formation to obviate these problems. In addition, this work is aimed at devising therapeutic intervention to break the linkage between obesity and breast cancer.
A Multi-ethnic Cohort And Intervention Trial To Identify Early Biomarkers For Type 2 Diabetes And Customise Individualized Environments For Disease Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,376.00
Summary
Diabetes is often called a lifestyle disease, however, large clinical studies have shown that diabetes cannot always be prevented through lifestyle modification. This collaborative study between Shanghai Institutes of Biological Science and Sydney University will identify biomarkers that predict the development of type 2 diabetes. Using this knowledge, the best interventions (including diet, exercise and medications) to improve an individual’s risk profile for type 2 diabetes will be identified.
Investigating The Novel Role Of SEPS1 In The Prevention Of Islet Beta Cell Failure And Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,804.00
Summary
SEPS1 is an important glucose-regulated protein whose function is to protect tissues from oxidative stress. Inhibition of SEPS1 by hyperglycaemia, is a mechanism for progression of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes once hyperglycaemia supervenes. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the function of the novel SEPS1, using transgenic and knockout approaches.
Testosterone Intervention For The Prevention Of Diabetes Mellitus In High Risk Men: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,054,654.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a l ....Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a lifestyle program.Read moreRead less
Analysis Of Effect Of Different Treatment Targets On Maternal And Child Health Outcomes In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Review Of Specific Treatments And Development Of Clinical And Biochemical Predictors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,686.00
Summary
This research aims to analyse newly proposed treatment targets for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and the effect this will have on maternal and child health outcomes, via comparison of data from two large Australian health services using the traditional and newly proposed critiera. The research will also investigate current effective interventions for GDM, including the impact of early antenatal lifestyle interventions, and formulation of a clinical and biochemical risk prediction model.
An obesity epidemic is evident in first world countries including Australia. Twenty seven percent of men aged 55-64 in this country are obese. Obesity results in increased mortality and morbidity from type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and endometrial cancer, among others. Given our flaccid lifestyles, it is imperative that the metabolic processes underlying obesity be fully understood, to allow development of suitable treatment modalities. This proposal seeks to establish an ....An obesity epidemic is evident in first world countries including Australia. Twenty seven percent of men aged 55-64 in this country are obese. Obesity results in increased mortality and morbidity from type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and endometrial cancer, among others. Given our flaccid lifestyles, it is imperative that the metabolic processes underlying obesity be fully understood, to allow development of suitable treatment modalities. This proposal seeks to establish an important new element in our understanding of the development of obesity, the transcription factor STAT5. With previous NHMRC support, we developed sophisticated genetically modified mice which lack defined signalling processes initiated by growth hormone, an anti-obesity agent. These studies showed a strong correlation between ability to activate STAT5 and resistance to obesity. There is fragmentary literature evidence to support our hypothesis, which could also explain some of leptins anti-obesity actions. Using mice which lack STAT5, we shall establish a role for STAT5 as an antiobesity agent. The actions of STAT5 are normally blocked by feedback inhibitors referred to as SOCS, discovered by Australians. We shall define which SOCS is the feedback regulator for obesity control, allowing us to develop specific anti-SOCS agents which will act as novel anti-obesity agents.Read moreRead less
Can Vitamin D Prevent Diabetes By Improving Insulin Sensitivity And Secreation In Overweight Humans?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,371.00
Summary
Vitamin D is mainly produced by the action of sunlight on skin. Low levels of vitamin D are becoming more common, as we work more indoors and avoid the sun and have been associated with type 2 diabetes. In proposed study, healthy overweight people, with low vitamin D, will be given vitamin D for 16 weeks to optimise blood levels of this vitamin. We will examine the changes in sugar metabolism. This study should provide important evidence on how vitamin D protects against diabetes and will suppor ....Vitamin D is mainly produced by the action of sunlight on skin. Low levels of vitamin D are becoming more common, as we work more indoors and avoid the sun and have been associated with type 2 diabetes. In proposed study, healthy overweight people, with low vitamin D, will be given vitamin D for 16 weeks to optimise blood levels of this vitamin. We will examine the changes in sugar metabolism. This study should provide important evidence on how vitamin D protects against diabetes and will support novel approaches to diabetes prevention.Read moreRead less
Identifying Novel Targets To Treat And Prevent Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to ....Diabetes is the leading cause for kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic patients also have a higher risk to suffer from heart attacks, stroke and amputations in particular once kidney damage occurs. Current strategies fail to completely protect patients from complications. My research will uncover knowledge gaps in our understanding of diabetes complications, identify new targets ultimately leading to urgently needed more effective treatments and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of disease in diabetes.Read moreRead less
A Novel Role For Alzheimer Tau Protein In Insulin Secretion And Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,023,712.00
Summary
There is a strong association between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, however the reason for this is not known. In Azheimer's disease a protein called tau does not function normally and contributes to the declining cognitive function. We have shown that when tau is absent, this lowers blood glucose and reduces the hallmark defects that contribute to type 2 diabetes. By understanding how tau works we may be able to provide better therapeutic agents to treat type 2 diabetes.