CNS Peptides Involved In The Control Of Thermogenesis And Body Weight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,750.00
Summary
There is currently an obesity epidemic in all industrialised countries which has an associated impact on cardiovascular disease and associated pathologies such as type 2 diabetes. Current therapeutic strategies have focussed on reducing food intake but, as evidenced by the continuation of this epidemic, these have had limited success. An alternative approach, which is the subject of this project, is to determine and modify the central mediators controlling energy expenditure. We will bring a raf ....There is currently an obesity epidemic in all industrialised countries which has an associated impact on cardiovascular disease and associated pathologies such as type 2 diabetes. Current therapeutic strategies have focussed on reducing food intake but, as evidenced by the continuation of this epidemic, these have had limited success. An alternative approach, which is the subject of this project, is to determine and modify the central mediators controlling energy expenditure. We will bring a raft of new technologies to examine this question and potentially identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention in obesity.Read moreRead less
Obesity Induced By Chronic High-Energy Diet: Central Influences In Development And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$221,210.00
Summary
This project is about the study of central regulation of energy balance contributing to prevention or development of chronic high-energy diet-induced obesity. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for a variety of life threatening diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease with their enormous costs both socially and economically. Development of human obesity and its related metabolic disorders generally develops over a long period and eventually becomes a chroni ....This project is about the study of central regulation of energy balance contributing to prevention or development of chronic high-energy diet-induced obesity. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for a variety of life threatening diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease with their enormous costs both socially and economically. Development of human obesity and its related metabolic disorders generally develops over a long period and eventually becomes a chronic condition. Generally, chronic consumption of high-energy food in excess of expenditure leads to excessive fat accumulation and promotes the development of obesity. However, under these conditions, some individuals become obese, while others remain lean indicating that variation in susceptibility is an important determinant of the development of obesity. It is apparent that those individuals resistant to obesity have a more effective defence system against excessive fat accumulation. Using the animal models developed in our laboratory, the proposed research aims to search for the differences in the central regulation between the mice resistant or susceptible to the development of obesity. The outcomes we expect to achieve include: 1) better understanding of central factors controlling energy balance, 2) clarification of the central factors responsible for dysregulation of this system by chronic consumption of a high-energy diet, and 3) identification of those factors contributing to prevention against such dysregulation. Further, according to our previous study [XFH1, 2, 3], we propose to use the drugs targeting on the specific receptor subtypes to test reversibility of chronic high energy diet-induced obesity.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Dietary Protein On Weight Loss And Body Composition In Men And Women With Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$208,055.00
Summary
Obesity is an increasing problem in the community and is associated with an increased incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Although conventional dietary advice for weight loss is a low fat high carbohydrate and high fibre diet there is a very strong interest in the media and the general population in alternative diets that feature reduced carbohydrate with the remainder of the diet either protein or a mixture of protein and fat ....Obesity is an increasing problem in the community and is associated with an increased incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Although conventional dietary advice for weight loss is a low fat high carbohydrate and high fibre diet there is a very strong interest in the media and the general population in alternative diets that feature reduced carbohydrate with the remainder of the diet either protein or a mixture of protein and fat. Unfortunately there is very little published data to guide the decisions of health professionals in this area and there is a strong demand for such information. We plan to perform 2 large weight loss studies which focus on high protein diets with one exchanging protein for carbohydrate and keeping fat constant and the second exchanging protein for fat keeping carbohydrate constant. We will assess whether the high protein diets blunt the decrease in metabolic rate that occurs with weight loss, and whether it spares some of the inevitable loss of muscle mass. We will also measure whether high protein diets improve glucose metabolism in people already at risk of diabetes and heart disease because of their obesity and high insulin levels.Read moreRead less
Obesity: The Role Of Neuropeptide Y, Melanocortin And Serotonin Systems In Development And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,000.00
Summary
This project is about the study of central regulation of energy balance contributing to protection or development of chronic high-energy diet-induced obesity. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for a variety of life threatening diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease with their enormous costs both socially and financially. Development of human obesity and its related metabolic disorders is a long term process generally develops over a long period and event ....This project is about the study of central regulation of energy balance contributing to protection or development of chronic high-energy diet-induced obesity. Obesity is a major predisposing factor for a variety of life threatening diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease with their enormous costs both socially and financially. Development of human obesity and its related metabolic disorders is a long term process generally develops over a long period and eventually becomes a chronic condition. Generally, chronic consumption of high-energy food in excess of expenditure leads to excessive fat accumulation and promotes the development of obesity. However, studies on both humans and experimental animals have revealed that not all individuals become obese on a high-energy diet; thus, individual susceptibility is an important phenomenon allowing us to search for the genes contributing to the individuals' susceptibility or resistance to diet-induced obesity and to identify for effective targets for both prevention and treatment of obesity. Using the animal models developed in our laboratory, the proposed research aims to demonstrate the differences in the central regulation between the mice resistant or susceptible to the development of chronic high-energy diet-induced obesity. Outcomes of this project will provide us with: 1) better targets for the prevention of diet-induced obesity; (2) more effective treatments for the late stage of obesity and its related metabolic disorders; and (3) a better understanding of the individual susceptibility to diet-induced obesity.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Brain Inflammation In Leptin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$730,123.00
Summary
Melanocortin neurons control body weight and are regulated by leptin. In obesity leptin cannot regulate the melanocortin system. We will test if leptin action on melanocortin neurons is limited by increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) in obese mice. As an alternative we will test if there are changes in the blood brain barrier, or an increased density of support and immune cells around melanocortin neurons of obese mice that might restrict inputs to these neurons.
Weight Loss Programs And Subsequent Fertility Rates In An In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$28,067.00
Summary
Compared with normal weight women, obese women have lower fertility both in natural and IVF cycles. Obesity is a risk factor for many maternal and fetal morbidities. This study will be the first randomised controlled trial aimed at demonstrating the effect on pregnancy rates of a prior weight loss program for obese women undertaking IVF treatment. A 12 week weight loss program including dietary, exercise, education and psychological factors will be initiated in the treatment arm.
This Project will produce the first map of the brain mechanisms that motivate unhealthy food choices in obesity. This outcome can inform the development of novel treatment approaches for obesity that modify the preference for high-calorie, unhealthy foods by changing the neural bases of such preferences.
Effect Of Lifestyle Factors On Knee Cartilage Volume And Rate Of Cartilage Loss In A Normal Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$236,500.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) has been described by the WHO as a potential epidemic and a major health and care services cost driver in an aging society. OA has the largest impact on burden of disease borne in later life. This has been acknowledged by its listing as the 7th health priority in Australia. To date, most research has focused on treating the resulting pain and disability. However, in order to reduce the burden of OA, identifying modifiable risk factors in the normal population is important. Th ....Osteoarthritis (OA) has been described by the WHO as a potential epidemic and a major health and care services cost driver in an aging society. OA has the largest impact on burden of disease borne in later life. This has been acknowledged by its listing as the 7th health priority in Australia. To date, most research has focused on treating the resulting pain and disability. However, in order to reduce the burden of OA, identifying modifiable risk factors in the normal population is important. This proposal aims to identify life-style factors, such as diet, physical activity and obesity that effect knee cartilage health in healthy subjects, thereby identifying potential targets for future prevention of OA. This will provide us with the opportunity to promote a better quality of life as people age and reduce the economic burden on the community.Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal Function And Appetite In Obesity - Acute And Longer-term Effects Of Changes In Energy Intake
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,645.00
Summary
The prevalence of obesity is assuming epidemic proportions. While weight loss diets help people to lose weight, body weight stabilises over time despite continued dieting. Our research proposal represents a novel initiative with the aim to understand the adaptations in gastrointestinal mechanisms in response to acute and longer-term dietary restriction that compromise weight loss. Ultimately our research will help to develop weight loss strategies that are successful in the long-term.