Novel Regulators Of Phosphate Homeostasis In Phosphate Wasting Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,513.00
Summary
This project investigates two phosphate wasting disorders - tumour-associated osteomalacia and inherited X-linked low phosphate rickets. The active factor responsible for the tumour-associated condition remains unidentified and despite isolation of the gene responsible, the mechanism of the inherited rickets is also unexplained . The proposed outcomes of this project address both these issues. Whilst the condition of the tumour-associated osteomalacia is relatively uncommon, it continues to be a ....This project investigates two phosphate wasting disorders - tumour-associated osteomalacia and inherited X-linked low phosphate rickets. The active factor responsible for the tumour-associated condition remains unidentified and despite isolation of the gene responsible, the mechanism of the inherited rickets is also unexplained . The proposed outcomes of this project address both these issues. Whilst the condition of the tumour-associated osteomalacia is relatively uncommon, it continues to be a clinical problem because its presentation is often non-specific and the tumour is often very difficult to find. To date our studies have helped in the identification of patients likely to have the condition. Furthermore, while the phosphate wasting factor may be produced in abnormally large amounts by the tumour in this condition, it is likely that the factor and the enzyme which may be associated with it have physiological roles in maintaining normal phosphate concentrations. Looking further ahead, the phosphate wasting factor may have a clinical use in patients with renal failure and phosphate retention.Read moreRead less
Maintenance Of Bone Strength In Aged Rats: The Vitamin D Requirement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,301.00
Summary
Hip fracture remains the most devastating of the osteoporotic fractures particularly in women in whom the incidence increases to about 3% per annum by the ninth decade. This incidence is bound to increase as the population ages with increasing longevity. Supplementation of diets of elderly female nursing home residents with vitamin D and calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fracture by 30% in two years. However we do not know how much vitamin D is necessary to maintain optimal bone s ....Hip fracture remains the most devastating of the osteoporotic fractures particularly in women in whom the incidence increases to about 3% per annum by the ninth decade. This incidence is bound to increase as the population ages with increasing longevity. Supplementation of diets of elderly female nursing home residents with vitamin D and calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fracture by 30% in two years. However we do not know how much vitamin D is necessary to maintain optimal bone strength. This project will determine the level of vitamin D required to maintain optimal bone strength in aged rats using a simple blood test which could then be used to screen the elderly and identify those at risk of hip fracture from low vitamin D levels. The project will also investigate the effects of vitamin D on the bone cells that maintain optimal skeletal architecture. This information is essential for comparison with the current knowledge of other biochemical bone markets in blood and vitamin D status in the elderly, in order to develop nutritional recommendations to reduce the incidence of hip fracture.Read moreRead less
Hip fracture remains the most devastating of the osteoporotic fractures particularly in women, in whom the incidence increases to about 3% per annum by the ninth decade. This incidence is bound to increase as the population ages with increasing longevity. Supplementation of diets of elderly female nursing home residents with vitamin D and calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fracture by 30% in two years. However we do not know how much vitamin D is necessary to maintain optimal bone ....Hip fracture remains the most devastating of the osteoporotic fractures particularly in women, in whom the incidence increases to about 3% per annum by the ninth decade. This incidence is bound to increase as the population ages with increasing longevity. Supplementation of diets of elderly female nursing home residents with vitamin D and calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fracture by 30% in two years. However we do not know how much vitamin D is necessary to maintain optimal bone strength. This project will determine the level of vitamin Drequired to maintain optimal bone strength in adult and senescent rats using a simple blood test which could then be used to screen the elderly and identify those at risk a hip fracture from low vitamin D levels. The project will also investigate the effects of vitamin D on bone cells which is necessary to maintain optimal skeletal architecture. This information is essential for comparison with the current knowledge of other biochemical bone markers in blood and vitamin D status in the elderly, in order to develop nutritional recommendations to reduce the incidence of hip fracture.Read moreRead less
Vitamin D Activity To Regulate Bone Remodelling And Promote Bone Strength
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,001.00
Summary
While vitamin D and calcium supplementation is well known to protect against osteoporosis and hip fracture, the mechanisms by which this occur are not fully understood. Thus, this project aims to establish the cellular basis for the importance of direct action of vitamin D and calcium within the bone. This information is necessary to develop public health nutritional recommendations for improving skeletal health and reducing the incidence of hip factures in the elderly.