Effects Of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure On The Developing Kidney
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,636.00
Summary
Almost 50% of Australian women consume alcohol when they are pregnant. Although it is generally thought that low levels of consumption (one-two standard drinks per day) are not harmful to the fetus, no study has examined the effect of this level of alcohol consumption on the development of the kidney and the long term renal and cardiovascular function of the offspring. We shall identify if low levels of exposure to ethanol can alter kidney development and impact on long-term health.
Cellular Mechanisms Of Pacemaking In The Upper Urinary Tract: Effects Of Sensory Neuropeptides And Prostaglandins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$80,680.00
Summary
The mammalian upper urinary tract (UUT) serves to propel urine from the renal pelvis within the kidney through the ureter to the bladder, where it is stored until micturition. This propulsion of urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder occurs by the means of spontaneous peristaltic contractions in the smooth muscle wall of the UUT, intimately dependent on the localized release of prostaglandins. Approximately 10% of the population suffer from renal calculi (kidney stones) at some stage of thei ....The mammalian upper urinary tract (UUT) serves to propel urine from the renal pelvis within the kidney through the ureter to the bladder, where it is stored until micturition. This propulsion of urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder occurs by the means of spontaneous peristaltic contractions in the smooth muscle wall of the UUT, intimately dependent on the localized release of prostaglandins. Approximately 10% of the population suffer from renal calculi (kidney stones) at some stage of their lifetime, with men being 2-4 times more likely than women to have calculi. Pain management of renal colic usually involves the prescribing of strong analgesics, and antispasmodic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Most stones are expelled spontaneously if they are small. Larger stones require interventions such as fragmentation (extracorpereal lithotripsy), which is an out patient procedure, or physical removal, using ureterscopes or endoscopes or open surgery under general anesthesia; procedures usually requiring hospital stays of 2-7 days. This project will provide valuable information on the mechanisms by which sensory nerves and endogenous prostaglandins control motility in the mammalian UUT. In particular, these studies will contribute to the search of specific anti-inflammatory agents which will affect particular aspects of UUT motility. A clearer understanding of the cellular origin of UUT rhythmicity will lead to more informed non-surgical interventions to encourage the passing of painful calculi. Such information will also aid in the treatments of other forms of renal colic, during ureteric obstruction, and urinary tract infection. Ureteric stasis is an important condition to avoid, if left untreated permanent kidney damage usually occurs within 6 weeks.Read moreRead less
Birth defects can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families, and improving our ability to diagnose and screen for these disorders has implications for treatment and reproductive options. We are using the mouse as a model to discover genes important in a new class of birth defects caused by dysfunction of a hair-like cellular projection known as the cilium.
A Novel And Unique Protein I-body For The Treatment Of Chronic Kidney Disease Through Targeting CXCR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,340.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Kidney transplantation and dialysis are the only options for the management of CKD, which results in a significant burden on the health system. The central aim of this project is to develop a novel therapeutic strategy to limit/reverse CKD, which will lead to a researcher-industry partnership in discovery of novel therapeutic agent.
The Role Of Tissue Hypoxia In The Evolution Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,391.00
Summary
We will determine how low oxygen levels in the kidney lead to kidney disease. We can now measure the levels of oxygen in kidney tissue in rats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a completely non-invasive way. We will study two common kinds of kidney disease. One, acute kidney injury, can result from administration of contrast agents used in x-ray diagnostic procedures. The other, chronic kidney disease, is common in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Towards Prevention Of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$771,918.00
Summary
Open heart surgery saves thousands of lives each year in Australia, but often injures the kidney. Kidney oxygen deficiency is a major cause of kidney injury. We propose a new way to manage kidney oxygen levels during heart surgery, by measuring the level of oxygen in the urine in the bladder. We will determine whether low levels of oxygen in the urine during surgery predict later development of acute kidney injury, and whether patient management can be changed to optimize kidney oxygen levels.