Long Term Supplementation With Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) And The Risk Of Bone Fractures: A Population Based Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$167,707.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major health problem in Australia and other western industrialised countries where populations are increasingly ageing. In Australia, the number of hip fractures is expected to increase by 36% between 1996 and 2006, owing to the rise in elderly aged 85 years and over. This is in contrast to projections in Europe and North America, where the number of hip fractures are expected to double by 2026 and then stabilise. Clarification of the role of vitamin A in bone health is pertine ....Osteoporosis is a major health problem in Australia and other western industrialised countries where populations are increasingly ageing. In Australia, the number of hip fractures is expected to increase by 36% between 1996 and 2006, owing to the rise in elderly aged 85 years and over. This is in contrast to projections in Europe and North America, where the number of hip fractures are expected to double by 2026 and then stabilise. Clarification of the role of vitamin A in bone health is pertinent, given that the popularity of supplement use has increased markedly in western industrialised countries over the past two decades. Around 37% of the adult population in Australia is thought to take a supplement regularly and figures range from 28% to 54% of adults in the US, with women and adults aged over 49 years being more likely to use supplements. Furthermore, the fortification of food with minerals and vitamins is increasing. For all of these reasons, is it imperative that the role of vitamin A in inducing fractures be clarified. Results from this study will contribute to knowledge about the safety of retinol and beta carotene supplements in relation to bone health, which is especially relevant to people at risk of osteoporosis, and people who take vitamin A supplements. We will also be able to clarify the upper levels of dietary retinol, beta carotene and vitamin A intake beyond which fracture risk increases. Because of the age range of subjects in our study, our results should be applicable to the whole population, not only the elderly or post menopausal. The results of our study will be useful to agencies such as Food Standards Australia and New Zealand which regulates our food supply.Read moreRead less
The Roles Of Retinoic Acid Receptors In Regulating Haemopoiesis And Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,484.00
Summary
My research has shown that vitamin A is very important to the normal function of blood and bone cells. I will further explore the uses of vitamin A products to improve the treatment of patients with a range of different blood and bone diseases. These studies may lead to better treatments of patients with a wide range of blood cell diseases. It may also reveal better treatments for patients with bone diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
Autocrine Vitamin D Metabolism, Activity And Bone Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
This project will provide the detailed understanding of the activities of vitamin D within the bone microenvironment and offers the exciting prospect of elucidating the mechanistic reasons for maintaining an adequate vitamin D status in relation to the prevention of osteoporotic hip fractures. Thus, this project has great potential to improve community health by being able to recommend vitamin D supplementation made on the basis of maintaining normal bone cell function.
Vitamin D And Genetic Susceptibility In Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Vitamin D3 levels appear to predict clinical status in multiple sclerosis. The reasons for this are unclear, but may be linked to the effect of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) on a subset of immune cells. This project aims to identify key genes which are regulated by this receptor, by using specific gene sequencing technologies combined with knowledge of the genes which confer risk of developing MS. This may help to identify the molecular pathways underlying MS and potential treatment strategies.