Drugs are applied to the skin for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including both local (eg. inflammation, muscle pain, eczema, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions) and systemic (eg. angina, hormone replacement, nicotine withdrawal) therapies. Advances in molecular biology technology has also led to the development of a range of large molecular weight peptide and protein based therapeutic agents for which transdermal delivery offers the most cost-effective and practical sol ....Drugs are applied to the skin for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including both local (eg. inflammation, muscle pain, eczema, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions) and systemic (eg. angina, hormone replacement, nicotine withdrawal) therapies. Advances in molecular biology technology has also led to the development of a range of large molecular weight peptide and protein based therapeutic agents for which transdermal delivery offers the most cost-effective and practical solution if appropriate delivery systems can be identified. In addition, unwanted skin absorption also occurs following exposure to environmental occupational chemicals, and those applied deliberately to the skin such as insecticides, sunscreens and cosmetics. This study continues our work in seeking to define the relationship between the chemical structure of agents, the types of formulations and solvents in which they are applied or come into contact with the skin and their penetration, distribution and retention in the various layers of the skin and underlying tissues. Of great significance to both the pharmaceutical industry and risk assessment regulatory bodies will be the further development of our work into important areas relating to the ability to predict the likely behaviour of a solute following contact with the skin from the aspect of both optimising drug delivery systems and the accuracy of risk assessment procedures. We will also be continuing our work examining techniques to facilitate drug transport through the skin using physical techniques such as iontophoresis and the design of formulations to specifically target larger pores in the skin such as hair follicles as a means of improving delivery rates and increasing the range of solutes, particularly those of large molecular weight, likely to be considered as potential drug candidates.Read moreRead less
Drugs are applied to the skin for the treatment of a wide range of conditions including both local (inflammation, pain, eczema, psoriasis) and systemic (angina, nicotine withdrawl, hormone replacement therapy) therapies. Unwanted skin absorption also occurs following exposure to environmental and occupational chemicals, including those applied deliberately to the skin such as insectisides, sunscreens and cosmetics. This study seeks to examine the relationship between the chemical structure of ag ....Drugs are applied to the skin for the treatment of a wide range of conditions including both local (inflammation, pain, eczema, psoriasis) and systemic (angina, nicotine withdrawl, hormone replacement therapy) therapies. Unwanted skin absorption also occurs following exposure to environmental and occupational chemicals, including those applied deliberately to the skin such as insectisides, sunscreens and cosmetics. This study seeks to examine the relationship between the chemical structure of agents, the types of formulations in which they are applied and their penetration into the various layers of the skin and underlying tissues. We intend to further our research into important areas relating to the ability to predict the likely behaviour of a solute which comes into contact with the skin from the aspect of optimising both topical drug delivery systems and risk assessment procedures. We will also be examining techniques of facilitating drug transport through the skin using (i) the knowledge gained of the mechanisms by which vehicles act on the skin, (ii) the synthesis of ester and amide lipophilic prodrugs and (iii) physical techniques such as iontophoresis, whereby small electrical currents are applied to charged drug species on the outside of the skin.Read moreRead less
Targeted Redox Therapy For Photoageing Prevention And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,815.00
Summary
Our goal is to target natural reduction/oxidation (redox) modifiers, i.e. niacin and sulforaphane, to the skin deeper layers to treat photoageing. Both drugs have been separately shown to prevent UV induced skin cancer. The outcomes of this project will be safer and more effective prevention and treatment of sun damaged skin. This project can provide health benefits to Australians from improved treatment of sun damage, and economic benefits to the nation.
Determinants Of Circulating Surfactant Protein Levels In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,221.00
Summary
The lung allows the oxygenation of blood and clearance of carbon dioxide. To achieve this a large surface area (50-100 m2) interfaces with a complex microcirculation across a 0.1-0.2 ?m barrier - the alveolocapillary membrane. The alveolocapillary membrane is damaged under a variety of circumstances, of varying severity. Whereas severe impairment results in respiratory failure, often there is no clear delineation between OacceptableO and OpathologicalO changes. Therefore, we have coined the term ....The lung allows the oxygenation of blood and clearance of carbon dioxide. To achieve this a large surface area (50-100 m2) interfaces with a complex microcirculation across a 0.1-0.2 ?m barrier - the alveolocapillary membrane. The alveolocapillary membrane is damaged under a variety of circumstances, of varying severity. Whereas severe impairment results in respiratory failure, often there is no clear delineation between OacceptableO and OpathologicalO changes. Therefore, we have coined the term Olung healthO to encompass the broad spectrum. Generally speaking, lung health can be compromised by lifestyle or disease. Whereas lifestyle changes are typically progressive and chronic, those associated with disease tend to be severe and acute. Monitoring lung health clearly has important implications in terms of occupational health and lifestyle issues, including smoking. The need for a marker of lung permeability is also regarded as the Oholy grailO in the intensive care setting. Currently, there is no way of doing so. The alveolus is lined with a liquid layer into which is secreted a complex mixture of lipids and specific proteins known as alveolar surfactant. Surfactant reduces the work of breathing. Recently, we fortuitously discovered that surfactant proteins leak into the circulation and that changes in their levels are a sensitive and early generic index of the lung?s integrity. We discovered that lung damage from conditions as diverse as smoking to the acute respiratory distress syndrome elevate circulating surfactant proteins levels. To refine our discovery we aim to: Improve the techniques used to measure the proteins Study the rate at which they enter and clear the circulation Study the influence of storage, gender, age, circadian rhythm, and smoking on the levels Study the levels in acute lung injury and in radiotherapy and cytotoxic drug treatment where the ability to monitor lung damage has immediate benefit for the patients.Read moreRead less