Mechanisms Underlying The Efficacy Of Bariatric Surgery – Insights From Rat Models Of Sleeve Gastrectomy And The Adjustable Gastric Band
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,472.00
Summary
Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for morbid obesity. In order to better understand the mechanistic bases of two such procedures, the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, we have developed rodent models. Here we use these models to better understand the physiology and pathophysiology of these surgeries and extend these findings to inform part of a RCT aimed at identifying the basis for effective joint surgical and medicinal treatments of obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common complications of obesity and is independently associated with a reduced quality of life and cardiovascular disease. This project aims to identify the underlying factors linking obesity with OSA by examining how weight loss surgery can improve these factors. These important findings will contribute greatly to our understanding of OSA pathophysiology and are necessary to find better treatments for obesity-associated OSA.
Inhibitors Of Secretory Phospholipases In Diet Induced Obese Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,051.00
Summary
A new drug given to rats fed a high fat-carbohydrate diet shows very promising effects in preventing and treating abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and other risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This project will profile biochemical and pharmacological properties of the drug in more detail in order to track down molecular mechanisms of its action and potential therapeutic benefits, guided by studies on rats, biochemical markers, rat and human fat cells.
Association Between Obesity, TGFb, Thrombospondin And Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,777.00
Summary
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important cause of mortality in middle aged and elderly Australians. The incidence of AAA continues to increase despite improvements in the medical management of atherosclerosis. We postulate that obesity is important in the progression of AAA. In a community screening study we found that waist-hip ratio was independently associated with AAA. In this project we investigate the mechanisms underlying this association between obesity and AAA.
Molecular And Genotypic Risk Factors For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$221,750.00
Summary
An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) is a dilatation of the main abdominal artery. This is an asymptomatic condition which may cause sudden death due to rupture of the AAA once it reaches a certain size (usually over 5cm in diameter) Between 1996 and 1998, 12,000 men aged 65-79 attended the Western Australian Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening study. The main aim of the study is to assess the influence of screening on mortality from AAA. Since 1997, approximately 90 men with large AAA have had e ....An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) is a dilatation of the main abdominal artery. This is an asymptomatic condition which may cause sudden death due to rupture of the AAA once it reaches a certain size (usually over 5cm in diameter) Between 1996 and 1998, 12,000 men aged 65-79 attended the Western Australian Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening study. The main aim of the study is to assess the influence of screening on mortality from AAA. Since 1997, approximately 90 men with large AAA have had elective surgical repair of AAA and 700 men with small AAA (aortic diameter 3-5 cm) have participated in the follow-up study involving 6-12 monthly ultrasound scans. The aim of the follow-up study is to assess rates of and risk factors for expansion of screen-detected AAA. The cause of AAA is unclear but appears to be due to a combination of environmental (eg smoking) and genetic influences. It is unknowm which genes might be involved. The current grant application seeks funding to initiate the study of possible genes associated with AAA . Blood samples from which DNA (genetic material) can be extracted have already been obtained from 650 men with AAA. Men without AAA are currently being reviewed as part of another study and it will be possible to obtain similar DNA samples these men. Patterns of gene polymorphisms (common minor mutations) in men with AAA will be compared with those without AAA.Read moreRead less
Biomechanics Meets Phenomics: Towards Understanding And Predicting Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Disease Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,324,897.00
Summary
The criterion used to decide whether to operate on an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), based on the maximum diameter, does not take into consideration the rupture risk for a given patient. By combining imaging, computational biomechanics and metabolic phenotyping, we will assess the structural integrity of an AAA and local structural changes of systemic response. These will allow improved differentiation of rupture risk, leading to better outcomes for patients and savings for the health system.
An Investigation Of The Involvement Of Clotting Factors In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Progression Within A Mouse Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,401.00
Summary
Early stage weakening of the main abdominal artery is present in ~100,000 Australians and currently has no accepted therapy. Development of drug therapies which limit progression of the weakening process is urgently needed. In this study involvement of the clotting cascade in artery weakening will be investigated. The study have been planned in order to identify new strategies which can be developed as treatments for artery weakening in patients.
Studies Into Myeloperoxidase-Induced Cardiovascular Disease And Its Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$924,596.00
Summary
During cardiovascular disease an inflammatory protein called myeloperoxidase (MPO) becomes abnormally released into the circulating blood and is transported into diseased blood vessels. Our studies show for the first time that increasing circulating levels of MPO promotes both atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm. This project will study how MPO promotes inflammatory artery disease and test new drugs for their ability to inhibit this damaging protein and protect against cardiovascular disease.
Patient-specific Modelling Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is undoubtedly the biggest killer in the developed world and accounts for 30% of all deaths in Australia; killing one Australian every twelve minutes. My research group and I, combine medical imaging with biomedical engineering to perform patient-specific modelling. For example, we can predict the likelihood that aneurysm will rupture or the way blood flows through the aorta. My goal is to make these modelling tools accurate and robust enough to be used in the clinic.