An Integrated Approach To Identify The Molecular Mechanisms Contributing To The Pathogenesis Of Insulin Resistance: Targeting The Liver And Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The inability of muscle and liver to utilise sugar from the blood is a major problem that contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes. How these problems occur is unknown. The goal of my research is to identify what causes the muscle and liver problem, and whether fixing these problems will reduce obesity and diabetes. Since the number of people with obesity and diabetes is predicted to double over the next decade, we need to understand the cause of these diseases.
Understanding The Metabolic Consequences Of Impaired AMPKa2 And NNOS� In Skeletal Muscle: Implications For The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,527.00
Summary
The inability of muscle to utilise sugar from the blood is a major problem that contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Since the number of people with these diseases will at least double by 2030, we need to find out what causes this problem. We will examine whether two muscle proteins that are impaired in obesity and Type 2 diabetes are also responsible for impaired sugar utilisation. We think that increasing these muscle proteins will fix the _sugar problem�, and remedy these diseases.
Cytokine Signalling And Insulin Resistance In Obesity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,065.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an epidemic of obesity that is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. This project is investigating why being overweight and obese causes diabetes. Improved understanding about how hormones regulates the body's storage and breakdown of fat and responsiveness to insulin will enable the development of new medicines for the treatment of obesity and the prevention of diabetes.
Effects Of Replacement And Withdrawal Of Testosterone In Human Males On Muscle, Bone And Fat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,682.00
Summary
Male sex hormone or androgen deficiency (AD) is a common, but under-diagnosed condition. AD decreases well being and contributes to muscle weakness, bone fragility and weight gain. Cutting edge technology will be used to help explain how AD may relate to these negative effects, particularly on muscle function. Given the importance of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and obesity, understanding the role of hormones in these conditions may have major implications for prevention and treatment.
Human Podocyte Depletion, Glomerular Hypertrophy And Glomerulosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,490.00
Summary
Many kidney diseases commence with injury to glomeruli (kidney filters) which leads to glomerular scarring and loss. There is strong evidence from animal studies that a specific glomerular cell type (the podocyte) is central to this process of glomerular injury. In this study, we will analyse the relationships between podocyte depletion and glomerular scarring in human kidneys from 5 racial groups (white and African Americans, white and Aboriginal Australians, Senegalese Africans).
Salt And Cardiovascular Disease: Does Acute Salt-Sensitivity Convey Greater Cardiovascular Risk?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,578.00
Summary
Salt intake of Australian adults is 10X more than required. Further, salt intake in very young children is alarmingly high secondary to high consumption of salty snacks and processed food. High dietary salt intake has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease and death. We will examine the cardiovascular risks for adults and children on a high salt diet and examine whether switching to a low salt diet ameliorates the high blood pressure and heart disease caused by high salt diets
The Calcium Channel TRPV4 In Skeletal Development And Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,069.00
Summary
We have discovered that mutations in a calcium channel gene, TRPV4, cause an inherited osteoarthritis in the hands and feet. This work suggests that TRPV4 may be important in osteoarthritis and suggests the exciting possibility that modulating TRPV4 activity may provide a new therapeutic approach for arthritis. We will study how and why the mutations disrupt channel function and study mouse models to see if they are more or less susceptible to arthritis.
Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of TRAIL In Diabetes And The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,374.00
Summary
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein with potentially useful actions in human health and disease. TRAIL is able to prevent atherosclerosis, the cause of heart attacks and strokes. In addition, we have recently shown that its actions on fat and the pancreas may prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. These studies will explore the therapeutic potential of TRAIL for the prevention of diabetes and heart disease in a range of animal models.
The Role Of Myo18b In Myopathies And Sarcomere Assembly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,776.00
Summary
Muscle force is provided by a specific structure within the muscle cell termed the sarcomere. Sarcomeres are the engine-room of muscle cells, that act as complex cellular machines to controls muscle contraction. Many muscle degenerative disorders are caused by defects within the sarcomeres, but how this occurs is not well understood. This grant examines how one such muscle waiting disease, or myopathy, results from mutations in a gene encoding a component of the sarcomere called Myo18b.