Adipocyte Rictor/mTORC2 as mediator of the metabolic effects of the omega 3 polyunsaturated eicosapentanoic acid in obesity and associated metabolic diseases

• Grant number: 24/19213-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: William Tadeu Lara Festuccia
• Grantee: William Tadeu Lara Festuccia
• Principal researcher abroad: Naima Moustaid-Moussa
• Institution abroad: Texas Tech University (TTU), United States
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/04159-8 - mTORC2 and mTORC1 biology and involvement in steatosis development and progression to steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma, AP.TEM

Abstract

We propose herein to investigate the role of adipocyte Rictor/mTORC2 as mediator of the beneficial and protective effects of polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids (n-3 fatty acids) against obesity and associated metabolic diseases. More specifically, we will investigate whether adipocyte Rictor/mTORC2 deficiency (adipocyte Rictor deletion) affects the pro-energy expenditure, insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory actions of n-3 fatty acids. For this, mice bearing or not deletion of Rictor in adipocytes, will be fed high-fat diets produced using as fat source either lard alone or lard plus the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 8 weeks and evaluated for body weight, food intake, energy expenditure, body temperature, adiposity, glucose homeostasis (GTT, ITT and PTT), mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, respiration and uncoupling, peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and hydrogen peroxide production, metabolic (futile) cycling, liver and adipose tissue oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin signaling and lipidome and metabolic genes/proteins. In addition, murine adipocytes bearing or not Rictor deficiency (Rictor deletion) will be evaluated for oxygen consumption, fatty acid oxidation, glucose metabolism and oxidative stress after treatment with EPA and/or DHA. This proposal was cooperatively developed by USP and TTU teams and represents the continuation of a successful collaboration between Dr Moustaid-Moussa and Dr Festuccia laboratories over the last 7 years. (AU)