Novel Therapeutic Interventions To Increase Blood Flow To Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,750.00
Summary
Over the past decade it has become clear that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 is produced in and released from tissues such as fat and muscle to mediate metabolic processes. In this respect, it acts in a hormone like manner. During this period it has also become apparent that the hormone insulin increases blood flow to skeletal muscle. There is emerging evidence that IL-6 plays a role, not only in metabolic and signalling processes within skeletal muscle, but also in blood flow. This project wil ....Over the past decade it has become clear that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 is produced in and released from tissues such as fat and muscle to mediate metabolic processes. In this respect, it acts in a hormone like manner. During this period it has also become apparent that the hormone insulin increases blood flow to skeletal muscle. There is emerging evidence that IL-6 plays a role, not only in metabolic and signalling processes within skeletal muscle, but also in blood flow. This project will determine whether the cytokine IL-6 is a viable therapeutic target in the treatment of blood flow disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes. This has major ramifications since type 2 diabetes has reached pandemic levels in Australia and is estimated to cost the community approximately 800 million dollars per year.Read moreRead less
Identifying The Epigenomic Fingerprint Of Coronary Heart Disease In Chinese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,663.00
Summary
Once people get diabetes, even good glucose control may be insufficient to prevent its complications. Diabetes results in molecular imprinting contributing to an increased risk of heart disease. We believe it is possible to identify this imprinted risk by a sophisticated analysis of a standard blood sample. Validating this hypothesis will lead to new biomarkers to identify individuals at increased risk of heart attacks as well as new strategies for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
UNLOCKING GENETIC FACTORS PREDICTING TYPE 2 DIABETES COMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: THE FIELD STUDY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,503,122.00
Summary
Heart disease, stroke, eye and kidney diseases in diabetes have both environmental and genetic predispositions. With over 5000 Australians with diabetes, this research in the FIELD study is to identify the important genetic contributors to these complications. It will explore how the genetic features cause disease and whether the most important ones can be screened for in simple blood tests. It will also examine whether the genetic damage of ageing is accelerated in diabetes.
Contribution Of The Peri-renal Environment To Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,008.00
Summary
This proposal will investigate the peri-renal adipose tissue phenotype and if factors derived from this local adipose tissue depot can influence kidney function
Effect Of Sex Steroids, Inflammation, Environmental And Biopsychosocial Factors On Cardiometabolic Disease Risk In Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,817,271.00
Summary
Heart disease is more frequent and occurs at an earlier age in men than women. The reason is unknown. Apart from obesity and associated disturbances of metabolism, changes in sex hormones such as testosterone, together with the effects of inflammation may be important, and may in turn be affected by environment, lifestyle behaviours, and stress. To untangle these relationships, we will use cutting edge technology, in a large sample of men, in partnership with other international scientists.
JDRF/NHMRC Diabetes Complications Centre Of Research Excellence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,607,291.00
Summary
Despite intensive intervention some individuals with type 1 diabetes develop complications. There remains an urgent need for means to identify patients at risk of complications and new targets and therapies for preventing, arresting, treating and reversing them. The primary objective of the Diabetes Complications Centre of Research Excellence (DC-CRE) is to translate novel experimental findings into preventive/treatment strategies for the management of diabetes and its complications.
Sympathetic Nervous System Inhibition For The Treatment Of Diabetic Nephropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,365.00
Summary
One of the commonest consequences of diabetes is the development of renal impairment, in the worst case scenario resulting in renal failure reuqiring renal replacement therapy. We aim to test a novel therapeutic strategy based on inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system to halt progression of renal failure and to improve outcomes in patients with this condition.
Actions Of The Polyphenol Epigallocatechin 3-gallate On Insulin Sensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,746.00
Summary
This project will determine whether the bioactive compound in green tea (called EGCG) can reduce insulin resistance by enhancing the ability of insulin to open very small blood vessels (called capillaries) in muscle. Opening more capillaries will help glucose to be stored in muscle, thus alleviating insulin resistance. Findings from these studies may have important impact on the management of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.