Value Of Central Blood Pressure For GUIDing ManagEment Of Hypertension (BP GUIDE Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,553.00
Summary
A pressure pulse may be felt at the wrist with every heart beat. New technology allows the analysis of this pulse and measurement of blood pressure (BP) at the heart (central BP) . This information may help doctors improve the decision making process regarding a patient's risk related to BP as well as the effect of drug treatment. The study aims to test this theory. It is expected that the new technology will improve the way people with high BP are identified and treated.
Targeting PI3K-regulated MicroRNAs To Treat Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,593.00
Summary
Current therapeutics largely delay heart failure progression rather than regressing it. New therapeutic strategies with the capability of improving function of the failing heart are thus greatly needed. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether novel regulatory genes can enhance cardiac function in a setting of heart failure. Ultimately, technologies that target these genes may lead to innovative pharmacotherapies in the clinical management of heart failure.
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress-sensing enzyme responsible for matching energy supply to energy demand by the many different cells in our bodies. AMPK is active in the heart, where it may control cardiac function and the response of the heart to disease. It has been difficult to study AMPK in the heart because we lack drugs that block the actions of AMPK. This study will investigate the role of AMPK in the heart using a genetic approach whereby the AMPK enzyme is re ....The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress-sensing enzyme responsible for matching energy supply to energy demand by the many different cells in our bodies. AMPK is active in the heart, where it may control cardiac function and the response of the heart to disease. It has been difficult to study AMPK in the heart because we lack drugs that block the actions of AMPK. This study will investigate the role of AMPK in the heart using a genetic approach whereby the AMPK enzyme is rendered inactive (a gene knockout approach). By this approach we will learn how AMPK controls heart function and how drugs that affect AMPK may impact on the heart.Read moreRead less
IMPROVE-CKD Study: Impact Of A Phosphate Binder On Cardiovascular Disease In Chronic Kidney Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,596,698.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health problem and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Vascular calcification and arterial stiffness (stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries) are very common in people with CKD, and are linked to increased death from CV events. This study aims to examine the ways in which treatment with a phosphate binder, Lanthanum Carbonate, may reduce vascular calcification and arterial stiffness to decrease CV events.
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
Assessing Efficacy Of Polyfunctional Nanoparticles Engineered For The Delivery Of Multiple Therapeutics In Reduction Of Cardiac Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,678.00
Summary
A reduction in heart muscle damage after a heart attack is associated with a reduction in heart failure and an increase in life expectancy. However to date many therapeutic agents are not successful at reducing muscle damage because of difficulty in delivering the drugs to the target site. This project will address these delivery issues by making use of multifunctional nanoparticles which will allow for targeted delivery and release of therapeutics directly to damaged tissue following injury.
Manipulating Cardiac-selective PI3K Targets To Reverse Heart Failure Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,921.00
Summary
Heart failure is a major clinical problem which is becoming worse as our population ages. New therapeutic strategies with the capability of improving function of the failing heart are greatly needed. We have identified novel targets of a gene with protective properties in the heart. This proposal will examine whether these new targets can reverse heart failure progression. Technologies that target these genes may lead to innovative pharmacotherapies in the clinical management of heart failure.
Molecular Mechanisms Of Cardiac Function And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,053,131.00
Summary
Adult-onset heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in our society, with almost 2 million Australians affected. Furthermore, structural heart malformations are the most common type of abnormality at birth and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from non-infectious causes. Many of these problems are due to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes. Thus, we propose to understand, in fine detail, cardiomyocyte as wel ....Adult-onset heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in our society, with almost 2 million Australians affected. Furthermore, structural heart malformations are the most common type of abnormality at birth and the leading cause of deaths in infants dying from non-infectious causes. Many of these problems are due to defects in the development, repair and-or function of heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes. Thus, we propose to understand, in fine detail, cardiomyocyte as well as integrated heart development, biology, physiology and function as a prerequisite for the development of major advances in the prevention and treatment of these disorders.Read moreRead less
I am a cardiology research scientist investigating the differences between physiological (“good”) and pathological (“bad”) heart growth- cardiac hypertrophy. In general, heart failure research and therapy has concentrated on identifying and inhibiting pathological processes. In contrast, my research is unique because it has focused on activating physiological pathways (elevated in the athlete’s heart) in the failing heart as a potential new strategy for the treatment of heart failure and atrial ....I am a cardiology research scientist investigating the differences between physiological (“good”) and pathological (“bad”) heart growth- cardiac hypertrophy. In general, heart failure research and therapy has concentrated on identifying and inhibiting pathological processes. In contrast, my research is unique because it has focused on activating physiological pathways (elevated in the athlete’s heart) in the failing heart as a potential new strategy for the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.Read moreRead less
Novel Aspects Of The Renin Angiotensin System In Cardio-renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,330.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are major public health problems with increasing incidence and prevalence in Australia. There are complex causal relationships between these diseases, and each of them may be caused by or be a complication of the other. This proposal will investigate the role of an important hormone system, the renin angiotensin system, in experimental models and in patients with heart and kidney disease. The results may identify novel markers in the blood that c ....Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are major public health problems with increasing incidence and prevalence in Australia. There are complex causal relationships between these diseases, and each of them may be caused by or be a complication of the other. This proposal will investigate the role of an important hormone system, the renin angiotensin system, in experimental models and in patients with heart and kidney disease. The results may identify novel markers in the blood that can predict if someone will develop kidney disease.Read moreRead less