Development And Application Of A Novel Ultrasensitive LC-MS Estradiol Assay
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,400.00
Summary
This project will develop a new ultrasensitive method using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure extremely low level of circulating estrogens in the bloodstream especially in mice. This will allow for the first time the ability to study the natural regulation of fertility in mice and other sub-primate mammals for which the present assay methods are not adequate.
Perinatal Stress Leads To Neurosteroid Deficits And Adverse Behavioural Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,198,042.00
Summary
This grant will examine the effect of psychosocial stress experienced after birth on the production and regulation of steroid hormones in the brain of newborn animals. The work will investigate how stress changes the levels these brain steroids and sensitivity to them and if these effects are remain into adulthood. The studies will then determine if these changes lead to adolescent behaviour disorders. The effectiveness of steroid therapies in treating these disorders will also be determined.
Obesity ensues when calorie intake exceeds energy expended. Hitherto, up-regulating energy expenditure is a relatively unexplored avenue. This project will address 3 facets of energy expenditure (fat, muscle and neural control). Understanding how sex and steroids act in concert to regulate energy expenditure will pave the way towards developing novel anti-obesity agents. This work will delineate mechanisms that underpin gender differences in the regulation of body weight.
Local Cardiac Sex Steroids - New Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,994.00
Summary
The sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are implicated in susceptibility to heart diseases - the timing and type of disease development is different for women and men. The mechanisms for this are unknown. In this project we investigate the synthesis and breakdown of these hormones in the heart and determine how local hormone levels may affect heart muscle cell survival and function. The aim is to find ways of adjusting hormone balance to optimize protection when the heart is under stress.
Bell’s palsy is the sudden onset of one-sided facial weakness of unknown cause. Patients cannot close their eyes and mouths properly; this interferes with eating and speaking. In adults, there is conclusive evidence that a short course of prednisolone, a steroid, can increase the number of patients who recover completely. This study will investigate at 10 centres in Australia and New Zealand whether prednisolone should be used in children as well.
Sex Hormones And Heart Disease In Older Women Study (The SHOW Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,672.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD, heart disease and stroke) is the leading cause of death in women aged 65 and over. Counter-intuitively, androgens may be as, or even more important, than estrogens in determining CVD risk and all-cause mortality in women, but this is yet to be verified. We will document blood levels of androgens in women aged 70+ and determine whether androgens are associated with CVD and death in this large cohort of elderly well women.
IgA nephropathy is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in Australia and around the world, but there are currently no specific treatments proven to prevent kidney failure. The SIGNAL trial, jointly led by Australian and Chinese researchers, will bring together leading experts from around the world to reliably ascertain the effects of steroid therapy in this condition, and could potentially prevent many people from developing kidney failure in the future.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Antivenom For Red-bellied Black Snake Envenoming
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,444.00
Summary
Muscle damage can result from snake bite, is irreversible and there is no specific treatment except antivenom. Red-bellied black snake bite provides a unique opportunity to study antivenom use in muscle damage in snake bite because this snake occurs across large population areas of NSW and Queensland. The study will determine if antivenom is effective and safe in red bellied black snake bite and whether it is therefore useful for other important snakes that cause muscle damage worldwide.
Targeting Small Airways To Overcome Resistance To Therapy In Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,045.00
Summary
There is a pressing need to overcome resistance to current therapies for severe asthma. Targetting inflammation-induced changes in small airway contraction offers an alternative strategy. We have identified a novel bronchodilator that relaxes maximally contracted mouse small airways when current treatment is ineffective. We will demonstrate its efficacy in animal models mimicking key features of human asthma, and define new ways to improve outcomes in poorly-controlled asthma.