Professor Gary Wittert, MBBch, MD, FRACP

Also check this link to the University Staff Directory as it may contain a more updated profile of this staff member including expertise and contact details.

Staff
Dr Alena Janovská, Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Natalie Luscombe-Marsh, Postdoctoral Fellow
Mr George Hatzinikolas, Research Assistant, Laboratory Manager.
Mr Sean Martin, Project Manager Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study
Mrs Leanne Owen, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
Mrs Kerry Kristaly, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
Ms Jane Mudge, Research Dietician and Clinical Trials Co-ordinator

Higher Degree students
Mr Donel Martin - PhD
Miss Eleanor Need - PhD
Dr Cynthia Piantodosi - PhD
Mr James Smith - PhD
Mr Paul Cavuoto –PhD
Ms Yan Lam – PhD
Ms Emily Brindal –PhD
Ms Kirsten Dunn –PhD
Ms Greta Bradman -PhD

Current Funded Research
2003-2006    Florey Foundation: A study of health and ageing in north-west Adelaide men           $450,000
2003 - 2007  University of Adelaide: Healthy Aging Research Cluster  $300,000
2004-2006    ARC linkage Grant: Obesity, Health, Social Disadvantage and Environment in Australia:   Relationships and Policy Implications    $1.4 Million
2005-2006    Brailsford Roberston Grant (CSIRO & Uni.Adelaide Trust for the Centre for International Nutrition Collaborative Research): Dietary interventions for overweight/ obese women prior to pregnancy–safety & efficacy of low calorie & low carbohydrate diets.         $200,000
2006-2008    Premiers Science Research Council: Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study                  $300,000
2007     Medical Benefits Foundation: Effects of obesity and rapid weight-loss induced using a modified very low calorie diet on cardiovascular risk factors, vascular and ventricular structure and function in obesity.  $146,955
2007-2008      NH&MRC equipment grant: Automated image analysis systems for the    high- throughput  immunohistochemical analysis of clinical and experimental samples.     $150,000
2007-2009    ARC Discovery: Declining mental efficiency, cognitive performance and individual differences in aged function $450,000. 
2007-2011    NH&MRC Centre for Clinical Research in Nutritional Physiology
$2.0 Million

Most recent publications (2000-2007)

Original Papers

Wittert G, Caterson I, Proietto J, Strauss BJ, Marks SJ, Wilcox G, Prins JB, Stocks AE, Vos E, Borrel L, Belyea C, Herd CM. The effect of AOD9604 on weight and fat loss in obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study. (submitted).

Need EF, Scher HI, Cheong A, Chen HC, Coetzee GA, Wittert GA, Butler LM, Tilley WD, Buchanan G. Amino Terminal activation functions cooperatively control androgen receptor signalling via the N/C interaction and p160 binding. (Submitted).

Gagliardi L, Wittert G. Management of the Obese Type 2 Diabetic. Current Reviews in Diabetes. (Accepted).

Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wittert GA, Belobrajdic DP, Norman RJ.  C-reative protein before and after weight loss in overweight women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 May 15; (e-pub ahead of print).

Wittert GA, Caterson ID, Finer N. The clinical effectinvess of weight loss drugs. Journal of Obesity Research and Clinical Practice 2007;1:1-5.

Martin D, Wittert G, Burns NR, Haren T, Sugarman R. Testosterone and cognitive function in ageing men: data from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS). Maturitas 2007 June 20;57(2):182-94.

Cavuoto P, McAinch AJ, Hatzinikolas G, Cameron-Smith D, Wittert GA. Effects of Cannabinoid Receptors on Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Pathways. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 2007 Mar 15:267(1-2):63-9.

Mohr P, Wilson C, Dunn K, Brindal E, Wittert G. Personal and lifestyle characteristics predictive of the consumption of fast foods in Australia. Public Health Nutrition 2007 June 13:1-8 (e-pub ahead of print).

Keogh J, Noakes M, Luscombe-Marsh ND, Wittert GA, Clifton PM.  Long term weight maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors are not different following weight loss on carbohydrate restrictive diets high in either monounsaturated fat or protein in obese hyperinsulinaemic men and women.  Br J Nutr 2007 Feb;97(2)405-10.

Martin S, Haren M, Taylor A, Middleton S, Wittert G, and Members of the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS). Cohort Profile: The Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS).  Int J Epidemiol. 2007 April;36(2):302-6.

Martin SA, Haren MT, Middleton SM, Wittert GA. The Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS): Design, Procedures & Participants.  BMC Public Health 2007 June;7(1):126 (e-pub ahead of print).

Martin DM, Wittert G, Burns NR. Gondalal steroids and visuo-spatial abilities in adult males:  implications for generalized age-related cognitive decline.  Ageing Male 2007 Mar;10(1):17-29.

Holden C, McLachlan R, Pitts M, Cumming R, Wittert G, Handelsman D, De Kretser D.  Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS): predictors of men's help-seeking behaviour for reproductive health disorders. Med J Aust. 2006 Oct 16;185(8):418-22.

Haren MT, Kim MJ, Tariq SH, Wittert GA, Morley JE. Andropause: A Quality-of-Life issue in older males. Med Clin North Am. 2006 Sep;90(5):1005-23.

Anand-Ivell R, Wohlgemuth J, Haren MT, Hope PJ, Hatzinikolas G, Wittert G, members of the FAMAS consortium, Ivell R.   Peripheral INSL3 concentrations decline with age in a large population of Australian men. Int J Androl. 2006 Oct 3; 29(6):618-26.

Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wittert GA, Williams G, Norman RJ. Short-term meal replacements followed by dietary macronutrient restriction enhance weight loss in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):77-87.

Luscombe ND, Tsopelas C, Bellon M, Clifton PM, Kirkwood I, Wittert GA. Use Of [14C]-Sodium bicarbonate/urea to measure total energy expenditure in overweight men and women before and after low calorie diet induced weight loss. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(3):307-16.

Wittert G & Chapman I. Physiology of gut hormones - An Overview. Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes 13(1):36-41, February 2006.

Smith JA, Braunack-Mayer A, Wittert GA. What do we know about men’s help-seeking and health service use?  Med J Aust. 2006 Jan 16;184(2):81-3.

Chen RYT, Wittert GA, Andrews GR. Relative androgen deficiency in relation to obesity and metabolic status in older men. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism 2006 Jul;8(4):429-35.

Holden CA, McLachlan RI, Cumming R, Wittert G, Handelsman DJ, de Kretser DM, Pitts  M. Sexual activity, fertility and contraceptive use in middle aged and older Australian men: Men in Australia, Telephone Survey (MATeS). Hum Reprod. 2005 Dec;20(12):3429-34.

Wittert GA, Turnbull H, Staikopoluos V, Hope P. Exogenously administered leptin increases physical activity in the marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Physiology and Behaviour. 2005 Jul 20; 85(5):613-20.

Moran L, Luscombe N, Wittert G, Keogh J, Noakes M, Norman R, Clifton P. The satiating effect of dietary protein is unrelated to post-prandial ghrelin secretion, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Jul 12;90(9):5205-11.

McMahon CG, Stuckey BG, Lording DW, Wittert GA, Murphy A, Shin J, Sutherland PD, Palmer NR, Lowy MP, Jesudason DR, Fredlund P. A 6-month study of the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study in Australian men. Int J Clin Pract. 2005 Feb;59(2):143-9.

Luscombe-Marsh ND, Noakes M, Wittert GA, Keogh JB, Foster P, Clifton PM. Carbohydrate-restricted diets high in either monounsaturated fat or protein are equally effective at promoting fat loss and improving blood lipids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Apr;81(4):762-72.

Holden C, McLachlan R, Pitts M, Cumming R, Wittert G, Handelsman D, De Kretser D. Men in Australia, Telephone Survey (MATeS) I: A National Survey Of The Reproductive Health And Concerns Of Middle Aged and Older Australian Men. Lancet 2005 Jul 16-22;366(9481):218-24.

Haren MT,  Wittert GA, Chapman I, Coates P, Morley JE. Effect of 12-month oral testosterone on testosterone deficiency symptoms in symptomatic elderly males with low-normal gonadal status. Age Ageing. 2005 Mar;34(2):125-30.

Haren MT, Wittert GA, Chapman IM, Coates P, Morley JE. The effect of 12-months of oral testosterone supplementation on the cognitive function, mood and quality of life of healthy elderly males with low-normal gonadal status: A randomised controlled trial. Maturitas. 2005 Feb 14;50(2):124-133.

Toplak H, Ziegler O, Keller U, Hamann A, Godin G, Wittert G,  Zuñiga Z, Van Gaal L. X-PERT:  weight reduction with orlistat in obese subjects receiving a mildly or moderately reduced-energy diet:  early response to treatment predicts weight maintenance.  Diabetes Obes Metab 2005 Nov;7(6):699-708.

Roffey D, Luscombe ND, Byrne N, Hills A, Bellon M, Tsopelas C, Kirkwood I, Wittert GA. Use of [14C]-bicarbonate-urea to measure physical activity-induced increases in total energy expenditure in healthy men. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2005;14(1):83-90.

Moran LJ, Noakes M., Clifton P, Wittert GA, Tomlinson L, Galletly C, Luscombe ND, Norman RJ. Ghrelin and measureds of satiety are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome but not differentially affected by diet composition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jul;89(7):3337-44

Brinkworth, GD, Noakes M, Keogh JB, Luscombe ND, Wittert GA, & Clifton PM. Long-term effects of a high protein, low carbohydrate diet on weight control and cardiovascular risk markers in obese hyperinsulinemic subjects. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 May;28(5):661-70.

Wittert GA Turnbull H, Hope P, Morley JE, Horowitz M. Leptin prevents obesity induced by a high fat diet after diet-induced weight loss in the marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004 Apr;286(4):R734-9.

Clements RH, Gonzalez QH, Long CI, Wittert G, Laws HL Hormonal changes after Roux-en Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity and the control of type-II diabetes mellitus. Am Surg. 2004 Jan;70(1):1--5

Yeap B-B, Scroop GC, Torpy DJ, Wittert GA, Lim SS, Burnet RB. Exaggerated ACTH Response To Exercise In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (J Neuroendocrinology - Accepted).

Greutelaers B, Kullen K, Kollias J, Bochner M, Roberts A, Wittert G, Pasieka J, Malycha P. Pasieka illness questionnaire: its value in primary hyperparathyroidism. ANZ Journal of Surgery. 2004; 74(3) 112.

Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wittert G, Tomlinson L, Galletly C, Luscombe N, Tomlinson L, Norman RJ. Ghrelin and measures of satiety are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome but not differentially affected by diet composition. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003;12 Suppl:S52

Wittert G, Chapman I, Haren M, Mackintosh M, Coates M, Morley J. Low dose oral testosterone supplementation increases muscle mass and decreases fat mass in healthy elderly males with low-normal gonadal status. J Gerontol 2003;58:618-25.

Vozzo R, Wittert G, Cocchiaro C, Tan W-C, Mudge J, Fraser R, Chapman I. High protein, high carbohydrate and high fat pre-loads and their effect on food intake in subjects who are free to choose when and how much they eat. Appetite 2003;40:101-7.

Farnsworth E, Luscombe ND, Noakes M,Wittert G, Argyriou E, Clifton PM. Effect of a high protein, energy restricted diet on body composition, glycaemic control and lipid levels in hyperinsulinemic subjects. Am J Clinical Nutrition 2003;78:31-9.

Luscombe ND, Noakes M, Farnsworth E, Clifton PM, Wittert G. Effect of a high protein, energy restricted diet on weight loss and energy expenditure after weight stabilisation in hyperinsulinemic subjects. International Journal of Obesity 2003;27:582-90.

Jesudason DR, Dunstan K, Leong D, Wittert GA. Macrovascular Risk and Diagnostic Criteria for Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for the use of FPG and HbA(1c) for cost-effective screening. Diabetes Care. 26(2):485-90, 2003.

Keogh MA, Wittert GA. Effect of cabergoline on thyroid function in hyperprolactinaemia.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 57(5):699, 2002.

Luscombe ND, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wittert GA. Effects of energy-restricted diets containing increased protein on weight loss, resting energy expenditure, and adaptive thermogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care.25(4):652-7, 2002.

Barton C. March S, Wittert GA. The Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test: Effect of Time of Administration and Dose. J Endocrinol Invest. 25(4):RC10-2, 2002.

Haren MT, Morley J, Chapman I, O’Loughlin P, Wittert G. Defining “relative” androgen deficiency in aging men: How should testosterone be measured and what are the relationships between androgen levels and physical, sexual and emotional health? Climacteric. 5(1):15-25, 2002.

Vozzo R, Baker B, Wittert GA, Wishart J, Morriss H, Horowitz M, Chapman I. Glycaemic, hormones and appetite responses to monosaccharide ingestion in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metabolism. 51(8):949-57, 2002.

Vozzo R., Su Y-C, Fraser R, Wittert GA, Horowitz M., Malbert CH, Shulkes A., Volombello T, Chapman IM. Antropyloroduodenal, cholecystokinin and feeding responses to pulsatile and non-pulsatile intraduodenal lipid infusion. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 14(1):25-33, 2002.

Su Y-C, Doran S, Wittert G, Chapman IM, Jones KL,  Smout AJPM, Horowitz M. Effects of exogenous corticotropin releasing factor on antropyloroduodenal motility and appetite in humans. Am J Gastroenterol. 97(1):49-57, 2002.

Ainslie DA, Morris MJ, Wittert GA, Turnbull H, Proietto J, Thorburn AW. Oestrogen deficiency causes central leptin resistance and increases hypothalamic neuropeptide Y content in the rat. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 25(11):1680-8, 2001

Nordin BE, Burnet RB, Fitzgerald S, Wittert GA, Schroeder BJ. Bone densitometry in clinical practice: longitudinal measurements at three sites in postmenopausal women on five treatments. Climacteric. 2001 Sep;4(3):235-42.

Hope PJ, Lok S, Webb GC, Hope R, Turnbull H, Wittert GA. Cloning of leptin cDNA and assignment to the long arm of chromosome 5 in the marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics. 90:1-2:, 22-29. 2000.

Hope PJ, Turnbull H, Farr S, Morley JE, Rice KC, Chrousos GP, Torpy GP, Wittert GA. Peripherally administered urocortin but not CRF is a potent anorectic factor. Peptides 21(5):669-677, 2000.

Hope PJ, Wittert GA, Turnbull H, Breed W, Morley J, Horowitz M. Ovarian steroids and alterations in photoperiod affect metabolic efficiency in the marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Physiology and Behaviour 69:463-470, 2000.

Chapters in Books

Wittert GA.  Obesity in Older Adults.  In:  Geriatric Nutrition, eds Morley JR, Thomas DR.  CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2007, Chap 4, pp 45-54.

Wittert GA.  Secondary amenorrhoea.  In:  Davidson’s International Clinical Cases in Medicine.  In press, 2007.

Wittert GA.  Hypocalcaemia.  In:  Davidson’s International Clinical Cases in Medicine.  In press, 2007.

Chen RYT, Wittert GA. Obesity in the elderly. In Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine 4th Edition., Wiley, UK, 2006, Chap 30, pp 347-353. 

Inder WJ, Wittert GA. Exercise and the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. In: The Endocrine System in Sports and Exercise (IOC Encyclopedia). Edited by William J Kraemer and Alan D Rogol. 2005, International Olympic Committee, Blackwell Publishing.

Morley JE, Wittert GA. Male hormones and systemic disease. In: Pathophysiology and Treatment of Male Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction. Edited by  Fouad Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D. Marcel Dekker,  Inc. 270 Madison Avenue,  New, York, New York 10016. In press 2004.

Morley JE, Perry HM, Wittert GA. Testosterone and Aging. In: Pathophysiology and Treatment of Male Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction. Edited by  Fouad Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D. Marcel Dekker,  Inc. 270 Madison Avenue,  New, York, New York 10016. In press 2004.

Wittert GA. Obesity in the Elderly. Progress in Obesity Research: 9. Edited by Medeiros-Neto G., Halpern A., Bouchard C. John Libbey Eurotext Limited. 24-46 High St, Esher, Surrey, United Kingdom, KT10 9QY. 2003.

Wittert G.A. Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome. Ch 5 Nutritional Disorders. Merck Manual 18th Edition. 2003.

Coates P, Wittert GA. Osteoporosis in the Elderly. A Practical Guide to Geriatric Medicine. (Ratnaike ed) McGraw-Hill Book Company Australia Pty Ltd. In Press 2001. 

Wittert GA. Morley JE. In: Aging and Fat Cell Metabolism. In: The Science of Geriatrics. (Morley, J.E., Armbrecht, H.J., Coe, R.M. & Vellas B. eds.) Serdi Publisher, Paris, 2000.

Wittert GA. The response of the HPA axis to physical activity. The Endocrinology Of Exercise (M Warren ed) Humana Press Inc., Totowa, N.J. 2000.

Books

Wittert GA. A Practical Approach to Obesity Management. Roche Press. 2004

Selected Abstracts/Presentations to Learned Societies

Wittert G.  Safety and pharmacodynamic effects of anti-obesity compound AOD9604 in obese men – results from a phase IIA, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.  The Endocrine Society, USA 2003.

N.Luscombe, I.Kirkwood, M.Bellon, C.Tsopelas, G.A.Wittert Energy expenditure in obese men and women measured using [14C]-bicarbonate-urea: Effect of weight loss. Proceedings 12th European Congress on Obesity, Helsinki, Finland 2003.

N.Luscombe, G.Guillaud, M.Noakes, G.A.Wittert and P.Clifton A New Tetra-Polar, Single Frequency, Bioimpedance Analyser For Measuring Body Composition. Proceedings 12th European Congress on Obesity, Helsinki, Finland 2003.

Holthouse Z, Turnbull H, Wittert G. The effect of L-Carnitine on Energy Balance in the Marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Proceedings 12th European Congress on Obesity, Helsinki, Finland 2003.

Wittert G. Radiofrequency induced gastric antral lesions:  effect on body weight and food intake.  Proceedings 12th European Congress on Obesity, Helsinki, Finland, 346. 2003

Holden C, McLachlan R, Handelsman D, Wittert G, Pitts M, Cumming R, Hogue C, de Kretser D.  A pilot study for an Australian longitudinal study on the reproductive health of middle aged and ageing men.  Men Health Conference, Australia 2003

Luscombe N, Wittert GA, Noakes M, Farnsworth E, Clifton P.  The effect of increased dietary protein on weight loss and insulin resistance in obese men and women. Proceedings of the Endocrine Society of Australia 45:A111, 2002.

Holthouse Z, Turnbull H, Wittert G.  The effect of L-carnitine on energy balance in marsupial sminthopsis crassicaudata. Proceedings of the Endocrine Society of Australia 45:A107, 2002.

Haren MT, Wittert GA, Coates P, Mackintosh S, Chapman IM, Morley JE.  The effect of 12 months oral testosterone undecanoate on body composition, muscle strength and prostate function in elderly men. Proceedings of the Endocrine Society of Australia 45:A170, 2002

Haren M, Nordin BEC, Pearce CEM, O’Loughlin P, Chapman I, Morley JE and Wittert GA. The calculation of bioavailable testosterone. VII International Congress of Andrology, Montreal 2001.

Wittert GA. Relative androgen deficiency in aging men, can it be defined and is it of consequence. New Zealand Endocrine Society, Wellington, 2001.

Wittert GA. The causes of Obesity. Royal Australasian College of Physicians Conference, Sydney 2001.

Wittert GA. The neurobiology of obesity. Australian Society for Biological Psychiatry. Plenary Lecture.

Wittert GA, Clifton P, Luscombe N, Vozzo R, Haren M, Mudge J, Turnbull H. Dietary fat and protein and the regulation of energy balance Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 p27.

Luscombe N, Heillbronn, Clifton P, Noakes M, Wittert GA. The effect of dietary fat on body composition, metabolic profile and UCP2 mRNA in obese non-diabetic women. Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 p407

Wittert G, Hope P, Turnbull H. The effect of leptin and diet on the expression of UCP3 mRNA in the marsupial S crassicaudata. Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 (oral 72).

Haren M, Hope P, Turnbull H, Wittert G. The ratio of dietary protein to carbohydrate increases leptin expression independent of total caloric intake. Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 (oral 98).

Vozzo R, Wittert G, Horowitz M, Chapman I. Effects of oral fructose and glucose on food intake and gastrointestinal hormone release in overweight type II diabetics. Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 (oral 101).

Luscombe N, Kirkwood I, Bellon M, Clifton P, Wittert G. Measurement of energy expenditure in healthy male adults using 14C labelled bicarbonate. Proceedings of the International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane 2000 (oral 139).

Wittert GA, Chapman I, Coates P, Haren M, Morley JE. Androgen deficiency in aging men. Proceedings of the USA Endocrine Society, Toronto, 2000, A1626.

Wittert G, Turnbull H, Hope P, Chapman I, Vozzo R. Leptin prevents weight gain after diet induced weight loss: Amelioration of diet-induced leptin resistance in the marsupial S Crassicaudata. Proceedings of the USA Endocrine Society, Toronto, 2000 A1203