Dietary Protein Effects In Elderly Women: Musculoskeletal, Renal, Cardiovascular And Body Composition Endpoints
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,946.00
Summary
Fractures and falls of the elderly are major health problems in our community in terms of disability and cost. It is critical to the future health of our aging population to develop non-pharmaceutical interventions to maintain health into old age. Epidemiologic studies have shown that relatively high protein intake is associated with increased bone mineral mass and reduced incidence of osteoporotic fracture in elderly people. Low protein intakes can lead to loss of muscle mass. To date there hav ....Fractures and falls of the elderly are major health problems in our community in terms of disability and cost. It is critical to the future health of our aging population to develop non-pharmaceutical interventions to maintain health into old age. Epidemiologic studies have shown that relatively high protein intake is associated with increased bone mineral mass and reduced incidence of osteoporotic fracture in elderly people. Low protein intakes can lead to loss of muscle mass. To date there have been no randomised trials of sufficient duration to examine the effects of increased dietary protein intake on bone and muscle health of the elderly. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of protein supplementation for the prevention of osteoporosis and muscle wasting in elderly women, and the safety of such an intervention through monitoring renal function and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Two hundred and twenty women will be recruited to this study and be assigned to protein group or placebo group. Women in the protein group will received 250 ml high protein drink (containing 30 g protein) per day and women in the placebo group will receive placebo drink containing the same amount of energy, calcium but no additional protein. Bone structure, muscle mass, body composition, renal function and risk factors for cardiovascular disease will be monitored during the 2 year study period. The results of this randomised, controlled study will clarify the role of protein on bone mass and structure, muscle mass and body composition in the elderly. At the same time, the safety of such intervention on renal and cardiovascular endpoints will also be evaluated. It is envisaged that the results of this study if positive will translate into both immediately applicable intervention strategies that are relevant at a program and an individual level.Read moreRead less
Factors Regulating The Temporal And Spatial Assembly Of G-protein Coupled Receptor-mediated Arrestin Complexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,770.00
Summary
G-protein coupled receptors are proteins that are present at the surface of most cells in the human body. They recognise and bind to specific molecules, such as hormones, the act of which results in a specific signal being transmitted into the cell. This signal alters the function of the cell and so it is critical that it is appropriate, both in type and duration. G-protein coupled receptors and the molecules that activate them provide an essential function within the human body for communicatin ....G-protein coupled receptors are proteins that are present at the surface of most cells in the human body. They recognise and bind to specific molecules, such as hormones, the act of which results in a specific signal being transmitted into the cell. This signal alters the function of the cell and so it is critical that it is appropriate, both in type and duration. G-protein coupled receptors and the molecules that activate them provide an essential function within the human body for communicating between cells, and consequently between organs. They are a major mechanism by which nerve signals are transmitted and hormones regulate bodily functions. They are therefore an important target for pharmaceuticals, with up to 50% of ethical drugs and many drugs of abuse acting upon them. It is critical to understand how these receptors alter cellular function once they receive an appropriate signal, but it is also essential to know how such responses are switched off. Arrestins are proteins within cells that interact with G-protein coupled receptors to 'arrest' their signalling. They desensitise the cell to continuous stimulation, but also act to resensitise the cell to respond to future, separate signals. Recently, they have also been shown to provide alternative mechanisms of altering cellular activity by interacting with other cellular proteins. These interactions greatly increase the potential ways in which a cell can respond once a G-protein coupled receptor is activated. Understanding the resulting complexity is essential if we are to fully exploit the vast therapeutic potential of this important receptor family.Read moreRead less
Monitoring Bone Loss And Response To Therapy Through Bone Material And Structural Composition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,111.00
Summary
Millions of scripts are filled for treatment of osteoporosis. However, there is no way of knowing if these drugs are right for these individuals, if it improves bone strength or are actually doing harm. Bone density measurement is of limited value. We have developed a new analysis method that measures changes in bone structure that tell us if the treatment is or is not working so alternative treatment can be used. The aim of this study is to test this new method.