Dietary Intake Of Highly Processed Foods As A Contributor To Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,953.00
Summary
Modern food processing imparts desirable functional properties such as emulsification and longer shelf life. These biochemical modifications in our food may cause the body to turn on itself and destroy the cells which produce the sugar storage hormone insulin. This is important for survival and characterizes childhood onset diabetes and can also be seen in type 2 diabetes. This research will test some dietary and pharmaceutical interventions to slow the development of diabetes.
Role Of Advanced Glycated End Products In Mediating Diabetes Associated Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,000.00
Summary
Diabetes is on the increase in the Western world and with this increase comes the burden of increased complications. One of these is atherosclerosis which leads to heart attacks, strokes and gangrene. In this grant we consider the role of a biochemical reaction where sugar attaches to proteins called advanced glycation and how it may promote atherosclerosis. We will use novel drugs to block vessel damage in a model of diabetic mice prone to atherosclerosis. We will also inject these sugar-attach ....Diabetes is on the increase in the Western world and with this increase comes the burden of increased complications. One of these is atherosclerosis which leads to heart attacks, strokes and gangrene. In this grant we consider the role of a biochemical reaction where sugar attaches to proteins called advanced glycation and how it may promote atherosclerosis. We will use novel drugs to block vessel damage in a model of diabetic mice prone to atherosclerosis. We will also inject these sugar-attached proteins (AGEs) into mice to see how they directly influence the vessel wall. We will characterise molecular and cellular changes in response to these AGEs. These studies will ultimately lead to better treatments to prevent, slow down or reverse blood vessel damage in diabetes.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Ezrin-radixin-moesin Proteins, Novel Binding Proteins For Advanced Glycation Endproducts, In Kidney Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,220.00
Summary
High glucose levels in diabetes react with proteins to form AGEs and it is thought that this reaction may lead to kidney damage, which is one of the complications of diabetes. However, how this damage occurs is not completely understood. Cells need to maintain their shape and position for an organ to stay healthy. We have shown that AGEs affect kidney cells by interacting with and disturbing the function of proteins that maintain cell shape. We now want to study how this occurs.
The Role Of Dicarbonyl-derived AGEs And RAGE In Diabetes Associated Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,617.00
Summary
Based on our pilot data we postulate that glucose derived molecules such as methylglyoxal (MGO) have effects on inflammation and oxidative stress leading to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. Our studies aim to identify novel treatments which block these effects thus leading to superior protection and prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
Does Excess Consumption Of Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products Activate The Complement Pathway Contributing To Diabetic Nephropathy?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,617.00
Summary
Modern lifestyle is characterised by the consumption of foods that have been highly processed to improve their shelf life and flavour. However, this food processing has been shown to generate potentially harmful compounds, Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) that may promote inflammation and worsen diabetic kidney disease. This study investigates the effects of overeating a diet high in AGEs on the function of the kidney, and aims to find out how these AGEs lead to kidney damage.
Modulating Pathogenic Signalling Towards The Prevention Of Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and kidney failure. There remains an urgent need for new targets and therapies for preventing, arresting, treating and reversing these diabetic complications. My research directly focuses on identifying and validating these targets treatments, building on strong preliminary data and understanding of the molecular mechanisms set off by high sugar levels.