Role Of Transition Metal Ions And Redox Activity In The Development Of Atherosclerotic Plaques
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,018.00
Summary
Metal ions such as iron and copper have been reproted to be present in the lesions present in diseased human arteries and it has been suggested that these metal ions contribute to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) via their ability to catalyse the formation of highly reactive molecualr fragments called free radicals. Though metal ions are known to catalyse such reactions in test-tube experiments, both the presence of metal ions in diseased arteries and their ability ....Metal ions such as iron and copper have been reproted to be present in the lesions present in diseased human arteries and it has been suggested that these metal ions contribute to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) via their ability to catalyse the formation of highly reactive molecualr fragments called free radicals. Though metal ions are known to catalyse such reactions in test-tube experiments, both the presence of metal ions in diseased arteries and their ability to generate free radicals is controversial. This study will employ a novel, minimally-invasive, technique to assess the nature and quantity of metal ions present in well-defined human and animal lesions at different stages of lesion development. The ability of these metal ions to catalyse free radical formation from components present in the artery wall will also be assessed. The release of these metal ions from the artery wall to added organic molecules will be assessed as this might minimise their potential to cause damage, and provide a possible therapeutic strategy. These studies will therefore provide valuable information as to the significance and role of reactive metal ions in the development of human artery disease and the possible prevention, or minimisation, of such processes.Read moreRead less
Structural And Functional Alterations Of Sarcomeric Proteins In Reperfused Myocardium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,786.00
Summary
Coronary artery disease remains the major cause of mortality for the adult population in our society. Despite the advances of coronary artery bypass surgery and medical treatment for reperfusion of occluded coronary arteries, the problem of impaired pump function of the heart remains a major obstacle. Although blood flow can be restored to the jeopardised heart muscle by either clot dissolving drugs, balloon angioplasty, or coronary artery surgery, the heart muscle may not regain pump function f ....Coronary artery disease remains the major cause of mortality for the adult population in our society. Despite the advances of coronary artery bypass surgery and medical treatment for reperfusion of occluded coronary arteries, the problem of impaired pump function of the heart remains a major obstacle. Although blood flow can be restored to the jeopardised heart muscle by either clot dissolving drugs, balloon angioplasty, or coronary artery surgery, the heart muscle may not regain pump function for days to weeks after the event. This delayed recovery of pump function, known as myocardial stunning, can lead to heart failure and slow down a patient's recovery from heart surgery or heart attack. The cause of this myocardial stunning is unknown. We suggest that stunning results from damage to essential proteins in the contractile apparatus of the heart, which requires a prolonged time period for repair. This project aims to identify the site and extent of protein damage occurring in the heart following interruption and subsequent restoration of cardiac blood flow. In concert with this, we seek to determine the mechanism of protein damage. The findings of this project should allow us to subsequently investigate new treatment approaches for acute pump dysfunction in patients with ischaemic heart disease.Read moreRead less