Randomised Controlled Trial To Determine Efficacy And Safety Of Prescribed Water Intake To Prevent The Progression Of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (PREVENT-ADPKD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,751.00
Summary
Increasing the daily intake of water is well known to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones but there is growing evidence that it may also benefit other kidney diseases, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study will determine if adequate hydration can slow the progression of ADPKD, and could provide a relatively simple and cheap treatment for preventing the onset of kidney failure due to this disease.
CKD-FIX: A Randomised, Controlled Trial Of Allopurinol In The Slowing Of Kidney Disease Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,917,147.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem affecting over 1.5 million Australians and is associated with increased risk of death, heart disease and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Current treatments to slow progression to ESKD are limited. The CKD-FIX trial aims to find out whether treatment with allopurinol, a commonly used drug for gout prevention, safely and effectively slows CKD progression. This could lead to significant health and economic benefits.
Galectin-3 And Phagocyte Function In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,084.00
Summary
Asthma, a major chronic inflammatory disease affects more than 2 million Australians. Neutrophilic severe asthma is not responsive to current therapies. We have recently made a significant advance in understanding neutrophilic asthma, reporting low levels of a protein called galectin-3 (gal-3). In this project we will explore the role of gal-3 its effect on the resolution of inflammation. This study will result significantly advance the knowledge of the mechanisms of neutrophilic severe asthma.
Understanding The Origins Of Diabetes And Kidney Disease In Aboriginal Children And Their Mothers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,784,613.00
Summary
Aboriginal people experience increased rates of diabetes and kidney disease than non-Aboriginal Australians. This project seeks to understand the role played by the intrauterine events, maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and early growth in the development of diabetes and kidney failure in both Aboriginal mothers and their children.
Wellbeing Intervention For Chronic Kidney Disease (WICKD): A Trial Of The Aboriginal And Islander Mental Health Initiative (AIMhi) Stay Strong App.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,031,562.00
Summary
Kidney disease is 10 times higher for Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Treatment involves many losses (time, functioning, role and disconnection from family and country). This study is the first to explore effectiveness of a culturally adapted electronic mental health intervention – The AIMhi Stay Strong App for improving wellbeing, quality of life and treatment adherence for Indigenous patients on haemodialysis. Cost effectiveness of the intervention is also assessed.
Vascular And Neurogenic Determinants Of Hypertension In Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,142.00
Summary
You are as old as your arteries, and people with kidney disease have arteries that age fast. They also have overactive sympathetic nerves, and it is not clear if the blood vessels or nerves are responsible for the high blood pressure that puts strain on the heart and other organs of these patients. We will use an animal model to determine if therapy for hypertension reduces the stiffness of blood vessels or elevated nerve activity. Our results will enable better treatments for kidney failure.
Stress During Pregnancy And The Developmental Origins Of Renal Disease In Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$866,044.00
Summary
There is an epidemic of renal failure in Aboriginal people who also have high rates of premature birth of small babies. This project aims to understand the causes of kidney failure in Aboriginal people through testing if stress during pregnancy leads to the birth of preterm, small babies with small poorly formed kidneys that lead to kidney failure in later life. The effect of stressors impacting on pregnant women including infections, exposure to smoking and social stressors will be examined.
A Novel Macrophage Lineage In Inflammation And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,857.00
Summary
Macrophages are an important haematopoietic cell type that has been implicated in inflammatory and cancerous diseases. In our preliminary work we have discovered a new macrophage subset, termed the perivascular macrophage, in breast cancer. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the origin of these cells, and the role they play in breast cancer. This will tell us how we might be able to manipulate the functions of these cells in order to curtail breast cancer progression.
Gene Expression Biomarkers Predict Severe Asthma Inflammatory Phenotype, Activation Mechanisms And Treatment Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,627.00
Summary
Asthma is now recognised to be made up of several disease variants or phenotypes, which are likely to have different underlying causes and mechanisms. We lack understanding of how to identify phenotypes of asthma and how they work, and this is delaying research that will lead to improvements in treatments and patient care. This is particularly important in people with severe disease. This grant will establish a gene test to identify asthma phenotype, and further understand mechanisms and treatme ....Asthma is now recognised to be made up of several disease variants or phenotypes, which are likely to have different underlying causes and mechanisms. We lack understanding of how to identify phenotypes of asthma and how they work, and this is delaying research that will lead to improvements in treatments and patient care. This is particularly important in people with severe disease. This grant will establish a gene test to identify asthma phenotype, and further understand mechanisms and treatment responses.Read moreRead less
Intravascular Leukocyte Trafficking During Thromboinflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,742.00
Summary
Unblocking blood vessels to treat heart attack and stroke can unfortunately cause a paradoxical worsening of organ damage, due to increased inflammation upon blood flow restoration. We have identified a novel way in which this side-effect is regulated by the small blood clotting cells platelets, and the protein fibrin. We will investigate ways to reduce the pro-inflammatory role for platelets, and define safer clot busting treatments.