CQUniversity Australia - Patrick Tucker

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Research Details

Thesis Name: The Acute and Chronic Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Markers of Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Activity, and Inflammation in Patients with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease

Thesis Abstract:

It is estimated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) will effect over 1.7 million Australians and account for nearly $1 billion in direct healthcare costs in 2012. In addition, CKD prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate (33% over a 5 year period) and yearly per-patient costs associated with CKD are high (approximately $85,000 per patient, per year). CKD is characterized by an over-expression of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS), leading to oxidative stress that results in damage to lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. The relationship between oxidative stress and CKD is complex as oxidative stress can cause damage to the kidneys prior to the development of CKD; is exacerbated by the toxic environment promoted by CKD once it has been developed; serves to further damage the kidneys as well as other tissues, leading to the exaggerated rates of CVD seen in this population. Fortunately, there are mechanisms that act to reduce RONS-mediated damage in patients with CKD. For instance, endogenous antioxidants have the ability to donate electrons to free radicals, thereby stabilizing potentially harmful molecules. Chronic aerobic exercise has emerged as a promising method for the reduction of basal levels of oxidative stress and a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events. To date, little research has been conducted to describe the effects of chronic aerobic exercise on the basal levels of oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, and inflammation in patients with CKD....

Why my research is important/Impacts:

CKD is characterized by the progressive deterioration of the kidney from a variety of mechanisms including: Type 1 and 2 diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and atherosclerosis. However, oxidative stress may be the most important factor responsible for kidney deterioration in CKD patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and their relationship with biomarkers of inflammation and the deterioration of the kidney in vivo. Our series of investigations will help characterize the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the development and progression of CKD, as well as the development and progression of CVD-related risk factors. Our investigations have been designed with methodological input from the regional nephrologist which will enhance the clinical applications of our findings. It is our hope that this research will give rise to novel treatment options that are cost effective and easily accessible, thus alleviating the considerable financial burden that CKD poses on the Australian healthcare system and improving the health-related outcomes of Australian CKD patients. It is anticipated the exercise intervention employed by these investigations will slow the rate of kidney deterioration and increase the amount of time patients are able to avoid dialysis, which can extend life and increase the chance of patients receiving a kidney transplant. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that the exercise intervention employed by these investigations will slow the rate of progression of CVD-related risk factors, a major contributor to mortality in patients with CKD.

Funding/Scholarship: International Postgraduate Research Award