Renal Artery Denervation Performed With Noncontact Circumferential Endovascular Ablation Using A Novel Microwave Catheter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,967.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a common medical condition leading to death and disability. Some people with high blood pressure do not respond to medical treatment due to abnormal signals from the kidneys that tell the body to increase the blood pressure. We have designed a microwave catheter that can be placed inside the kidney artery and used to heat the kidney nerves around it to stop the relay of these messages. This will lower blood pressure for people who cannot control it with medications alone.
The Role Of Tissue Hypoxia In The Evolution Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,391.00
Summary
We will determine how low oxygen levels in the kidney lead to kidney disease. We can now measure the levels of oxygen in kidney tissue in rats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a completely non-invasive way. We will study two common kinds of kidney disease. One, acute kidney injury, can result from administration of contrast agents used in x-ray diagnostic procedures. The other, chronic kidney disease, is common in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Role Of Endothelial Vasodilator Mechanisms In Cardiovascular Control During Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,500.00
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack are the greatest killers in developed societies such as Australia. We now know that a number of metabolic disorders, and genetic and lifestyle factors, can increase the likelihood of individuals developing cardiovascular disease later in life, such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking. In many cases, individuals with these risk factors also have high blood pressure, which is a known cause of stroke and heart attack. This seems to be a particul ....Cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack are the greatest killers in developed societies such as Australia. We now know that a number of metabolic disorders, and genetic and lifestyle factors, can increase the likelihood of individuals developing cardiovascular disease later in life, such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking. In many cases, individuals with these risk factors also have high blood pressure, which is a known cause of stroke and heart attack. This seems to be a particular problem in patients with diabetes, a condition that currently affects around 150 million people worldwide. Indeed, almost 70% of patients that develop diabetes in later life, also develop high blood pressure. The aim of the studies outlined in this application is to increase our understanding of the way diabetes affects blood pressure. High blood pressure often accompanies established diabetes, but we have recent evidence that suggests that a gas (nitric oxide) made by the cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells) and in nerve cells, protects the cardiovascular system from hypertension during the onset of diabetes. Our experiments will show whether the 'protective' nitric oxide comes from nerves or the endothelial cells, and how it affects various blood pressure control mechanisms in diabetes. Our experiments will also show whether this protective action of nitric oxide is eventually lost as the organ damage that occurs in diabetes proceeds. This information should help in the design of new drug treatments and other therapies aimed at reducing the occurrence of high blood pressure, and hence cardiovascular disease, in diabetes.Read moreRead less
RENAL VASCULAR HYPERTROPHY AND REMODELLING IN SHR: SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HYPERTENSION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,561.00
Summary
High blood pressure (hypertension) remains a major health problem for Australians. One in six Australians suffer from hypertension, with consequent increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Anti-hypertensive treatments are available, but must usually be taken for the rest of the patient's life and the cost to the taxpayer of anti-hypertensive drugs is greater than for any other health problem. Prevention of high blood pressure depends on identifying the initial cause - but we still do not know ....High blood pressure (hypertension) remains a major health problem for Australians. One in six Australians suffer from hypertension, with consequent increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Anti-hypertensive treatments are available, but must usually be taken for the rest of the patient's life and the cost to the taxpayer of anti-hypertensive drugs is greater than for any other health problem. Prevention of high blood pressure depends on identifying the initial cause - but we still do not know the cause in over 90% of hypertensive people. This project will study whether overactivity of the nerves to the blood vessels of the kidney might be the cause. There is evidence for this in humans, and in a strain of rats which develops high blood pressure (the spontaneously hypertensive rat). Our experiments will study these rats to see whether nerves affect the structure and function of the blood vessels of the kidney in ways that lead to increased blood pressure.Read moreRead less