Transforming Mealtime Insulin Dosing Using An Innovative New Bolusing Calculator To Optimise Glycaemic Control In Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
People with type 1 diabetes require life-long insulin injections to maintain their blood glucose levels in the optimal range. Mealtime dose estimations based solely on carbohydrate have limited efficacy as they fail to take fat and protein into account. The aim of this project is to develop an evidence-based insulin bolusing calculator integrated into a smartphone app to enhance blood glucose control and reduce the daily burden of disease and the risk of life-threatening complications.
Dietary Fats As Drivers Of Obesity-related Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,767.00
Summary
Obesity leads to diabetes and heart disease but not all body fat seems to be bad. Increased fat around the waist (especially the visceral fat around the intestine and internal organs) is particularly bad. Visceral fat secretes a lot of inflammatory molecules. This research aims to understand how visceral fat becomes inflamed and how we might use diet and other methods to reduce both the amount of visceral fat and its level of inflammation; thus reducing both obesity and its health consequences.
Unravelling The Mechanisms By Which Insulin Hypersecretion Is Detrimental To ß-cell Function And Survival In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,758.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced levels of the hormone insulin that results in an increase in blood sugar. Evidence suggests that when the cells that make insulin are overworked they fail to produce the right amount of this hormone to keep blood sugar levels normal. In this proposal we will determine how overworking the insulin producing cells damages them and assess whether reducing the need to overwork is beneficial and thus lead to reduced blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by multiple genetic defects, resulting in high blood sugar levels. These high sugar levels are primarily due to a decrease in the concentration of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. A number of recent studies have aimed to identify which genes are regulated under conditions that mimic diabetes. One gene shown to have altered expression levels under these conditions is an enzyme called fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (or FBPase). This enzyme is involved in the meta ....Type 2 diabetes is caused by multiple genetic defects, resulting in high blood sugar levels. These high sugar levels are primarily due to a decrease in the concentration of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. A number of recent studies have aimed to identify which genes are regulated under conditions that mimic diabetes. One gene shown to have altered expression levels under these conditions is an enzyme called fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (or FBPase). This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of sugar and is usually expressed at undetectable levels in the pancreas, but when blood sugar levels are high, the amount of FBPase in the pancreas increases considerably. We hypothesise that this increase in FBPase may contribute to the decrease in insulin secretion by the pancreas, seen in the diabetic state. The aim of this proposal therefore is to study mice that we have modified to express increased FBPase specifically in the pancreas, in order to determine whether this will lead to a decrease in insulin release and to diabetes. If this is the case, then FBPase could be targeted for the development of drugs that would improve the control of blood sugar levels in diabetes.Read moreRead less
The Differential Innervation Of Fat - Potential To Target Visceral Adiposity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,818.00
Summary
Levels of abdominal fat are closely correlated with metabolic syndrome. We propose experiments to identify unique characteristics (neurotransmitters or receptors) of neurons deep in the brain that project specifically to this type of fat or other less harmful subcutaneous fat. We can then test the functional significance of these unique elements in animal experimets involving gene knockdown or pharmacological approaches to modify their function and test the effect on fat distribution
High Protein, Low Glycemic Load Weight Loss Diets In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$906,928.00
Summary
High protein, low glycemic load weight loss diets have the potential to be of value in long term weight control but there is little long term data available. There is also some uncertainty about the long term safety of high protein diets and this needs clarification in long term trials. As compliance to the diet is the major issue in long term trials we will explore new ways of getting people to stay in long term studies and maintain a calorie reduced diet.
PREVention Of Diabetes Through Lifestyle Intervention And Population Studies In Europe And Around The World
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,281.00
Summary
The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cult ....The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic variables.Read moreRead less
In men, oestrogen may be important for strong bones and maintaining a healthy weight. Men with prostate cancer are given medical castration treatment to decrease testosterone, because testosterone is required for prostate cancer growth. Because oestrogen is derived from testosterone, they also have very low oestrogen levels. We want to conduct a trial in these men to find out whether giving back oestrogen will prevent bone loss and weight gain, among other health benefits.