Email l.lester@uq.edu.au

Research Interests

Leith's background is in biochemistry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Her main interest is in one carbon metabolism and its impact on maternal, foetal and neonatal health. One carbon metabolism is the transfer of methyl groups (CH3) required for the synthesis, breakdown or modification of many vital compounds in the body.
Genetic and lifestyle factors can result in impaired one carbon metabolism and elevated plasma homocysteine in the mother and foetus. High maternal homocysteine is associated with birth defects, maternal preeclampsia and placental insufficiency which may cause foetal growth restriction and premature birth. The aim of future research is to determine whether aberrant one carbon metabolism in the mother affects creatine metabolism in the foetus and subsequent neurodevelopment.
Leith's other main interest is disruption of one carbon metabolism by hypoxia- ischemia (HI) (reduced oxygen and blood supply). One aim of this research is to determine whether perinatal HI alters one carbon metabolism in the neonate and how this might impact on cerebral energy metabolism and brain injury. This work also extends to understanding the metabolic sequelae of stroke. Recent studies have shown that boosting one carbon metabolism after retinal ischaemia reduces neuronal loss and improves retinal function.

Research Projects

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of neonatal urine from term babies have shown that myoinositol and creatine excretion is increased in asphyxiated babies and is correlated with severity of HI brain injury. Application of this finding will help neonatologists to rapidly gauge the severity of perinatal HI, implement appropriate treatment strategies and monitor patient recovery ( Moxon-Lester ., Cook, M., Colditz P. unpublished data) The next step in this research is to determine whether total creatine in the brain is lower in neonates who have suffered HI and whether interventions to facilitate recovery of brain creatine improve neurological outcomes.

The incidence of white matter injury following perinatal HI is significantly higher in preterm babies than term babies. This is due to the greater prevalence of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the preterm brain and their acute sensitivity to HI injury. We will determine whether administration of S-adenosylmethionine after HI in a rat model of the preterm brain helps to maintain the viability and function of oligodendrocytes which are essential for normal white matter development. This work is funded by the RBWH Foundation and is being done in collaboration with Dr Kathryn Buller at the PRC, UQCCR.

Recent studies of neuroprotection following acute ischemic injury in the adult retina have shown that administration of S-adenosylmethionine together with folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 decreases retinal injury and improves photoreceptor function. This work was done in collaboration with Kei Takamoto and Nigel Barnett, PRC, UQCCR.

Potential Honours project

Can S-adenosyl-L-methionine modulate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the brain of a rat model of preterm, perinatal asphyxia.

Co-supervisor - Dr Kathryn Buller

Key publications

Moxon-Lester, L., Takamoto, K., Colditz, P.B. and Barnett, N. (2009) S-adenosyl-L-methionine restores photoreceptor function following acute retinal ischemia. Visual Neuroscience 26, 1-13

Moxon, K Sinclair, C Burke, GJ Cowin, SE Rose and P Colditz (2007). Increased cerebral lactate during hypoxia may be neuroprotective in newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction. Brain Res. 1179, 79-88.

LN Moxon, LJ Haseler, SE Rose, GJ Galloway, IM Brereton, P Bore and DM Doddrell (1991). The visibility of the ¹H NMR signal of ethanol in the dog brain. Magn Reson Med 19(2), 340-348.

Contact details and email

Leith Moxon-Lester
Perinatal Research Centre
UQ Centre for Clinical Research
Building 71/918
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston
QLD 4029.

Ph 33466015
Email l.lester@uq.edu.au

Funding acknowledgement

Leith's research at the Perinatal Research Centre has been funded by the-

Lions Medical Research Foundation
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation

Technique Expertise

In vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Biochemical techniques

Collaborations

Dr Nigel Barnett, PRC., Dr Kathryn Buller, PRC., Prof David Pow, PRC.,
Dr S Bjorkman, PRC., Ms Stefanie Miller, PRC., Prof Paul Coliditz, PRC.