EFFECTS OF THE YERBA-MATE (Ilex paraguariensis) ON EXPRESSION OF miRNAs ASSOCIATED ADIPOGENESIS in vitro and in vivo

• Grant number: 12/08206-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Bragança Paulista
• Associated researchers: Alessandra Gambero

Abstract

The obesity is one of leading public health issues worldwide, affecting not only industrialized nations but also developing countries. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of obesity are complex and not well understood, it is known that this condition is associated with chronic inflammation in which the fat plays an important role. In this context, stands out the adipogenesis, which is a highly controlled by a combination of multiple transcription factors. Moreover, some recent studies have shown that miRNAs also play an important role in modulating adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Currently, several strategies are used in order to reduce body weight. In this sense, our research group has evaluated the effects of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) against diet-induced obesity in mice. The results showed that yerba mate has potent anti-obesity activity by modulating the expression of several genes linked to obesity and adipogenesis. Given the importance of understanding the regulation of adipogenesis in the development of new therapeutic strategies, and the lack of studies evaluating the role of natural compounds in the modulation of expression of miRNAs associated with this process. It is intended to evaluate the effects of yerba mate in the modulation of expression of miRNAs associated with adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. (AU)