Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors: A Role In The Promotion Of Mammary Gland Carcinogenesis By Dietary Fat.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,702.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. While some women have a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, for most women a variety of factors are responsible for their disease. One thing that appears to be important as a cause of breast cancer is our diet. There are many components of the diet that may play a role. One important factor is the amount and type of fat that we consume. Just how dietary fat causes an increase in breast cancer is not known. What this project a ....Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Australian women. While some women have a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, for most women a variety of factors are responsible for their disease. One thing that appears to be important as a cause of breast cancer is our diet. There are many components of the diet that may play a role. One important factor is the amount and type of fat that we consume. Just how dietary fat causes an increase in breast cancer is not known. What this project aims to achieve is an understanding of how dietary fat and breast cancer are related. If we can understand this then we can rationally design treatments or a preventative strategy.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
Central Neural Mechanisms Underlying The Effect Of Endocannabinoids On Body Weight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,793.00
Summary
Obesity and its associated pathologies of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, predisposition to some cancers and infertility in women no longer needs to be justified as a major health issue in modern societies. In fact it is quickly becoming recognised as the major threat to world health. Recently, the anecdotal evidence for increased food intake, particularly the craving of high carbohydrate, high sugar foods, associated with the use of marijuana has been put into a therapeutic cont ....Obesity and its associated pathologies of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, predisposition to some cancers and infertility in women no longer needs to be justified as a major health issue in modern societies. In fact it is quickly becoming recognised as the major threat to world health. Recently, the anecdotal evidence for increased food intake, particularly the craving of high carbohydrate, high sugar foods, associated with the use of marijuana has been put into a therapeutic context. Specifically a cannabinoid receptor antagonist, rimonabant (currently undergoing trials as Accomplia) has become a central player in the race for an obesity therapy because of its effects in blocking the brain receptors that would normally respond to cannabinoid like compounds in the brain that tend to increase food intake. Despite the trials that are underway in Europe and the USA many of the central actions of the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the brain, the so-called endocannabinoids are very poorly understood. This series of experiments utilizing the best technologies available will address basic questions relating to the brain pathways involved and even the extent to which weight loss associated with the administration of these drugs to rats and presumably humans is dependent on the reduction of food intake or the burning of energy in a process called thermogenesis. These are essential pieces of information if this type of compound is to be considered as a serious contender in the search for an obesity therapyRead moreRead less
Metabolic And Neurobiological Changes After Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment For Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,497.00
Summary
CPAP is the preferred treatment for patients with OSA because of its well-proven ability to decrease sleepiness and improve blood pressure control. This study will definitively establish if CPAP can also improve markers of cardio-metabolic health, such as visceral fat, insulin sensitivity, central blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The results of the study will shed light on the broader health consequences of OSA and contribute to the development of more targeted treatment strategies.
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.
Functional Effects Of Polymorphic Variation Of The Aromatase (CYP19) Gene On Enzyme Activity:relationship To Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,708.00
Summary
After menopause, oestrogen synthesis changes from an ovarian to an adipose source by concersion of androgens to estrogens, a process catalyzed by aromatase, the product of the CYP19 gene. We will generate mutants of the CYP19 gene that we have previously found in humans by site-directed mutagenesis and observe the effects of these mutants on aromatase function. This research will help with diagnosis and treatment of breast and other cancers and osteoporosis in humans .