Energy homeostasis in different mouse lineages: influence of food, physical activity mimetics and genetics

• Grant number: 08/10700-1
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Duration: March 01, 2010 - August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal researcher: Marcelo Augusto Christoffolete
• Grantee: Marcelo Augusto Christoffolete
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The epidemy of obesity has advanced quickly in rich and developing countries. This fast dissemination is closely bound to western civilization life style, although signs of increasing incidence in eastern societies have been spotted. Multiple factors add to the risk of developing the disease, principally: 1) feeding habits; 2) sedentarism e 3) genetic factors. While the first two are related to lifestyle, the former presents itself as extremely complex e distant from a common denominator. Many of the current treatments focus on the first two factors, leaving very little to do in regard to the third factor, mostly due to the lack of knowledge about its influence on the overall metabolism. In this regard, a systematic study, comparing two distinct genetic backgrounds in different contexts, i.e., different demands of caloric loads or macronutrients composition, could lead to a better understanding of the dynamics behind the disease progression. In our project, we seek out a better comprehension of such dynamics between genetic background and different caloric or macronutrient demands. Using a powerful tool (microarray), we intend to highlight known and unknown metabolic pathways, participating in higher susceptibility or resistance to diet induced obesity. In parallel, we will develop a viral vector, a powerful tool to induce the expression of proteins of interest in mammalian cells or even animal tissue, aiming to promote selective over-expression of mIGF-1, a potent trophic factor in skeletal muscle. In these series of experiments, we will induce type I skeletal muscle fibers hypertrophy, evaluating its impact on muscle metabolism. Therefore, this study envisions a systematic search of new strategies to combat the growing epidemy of obesity. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NASCIMENTO-SALES, MICHELLE; FREDO-DA-COSTA, IZABELLE; BORGES MENDES, ADRIANE C. B.; MELO, SUZANE; RAVACHE, THAIS T.; GOMEZ, THIAGO G. B.; GAISLER-SILVA, FERNANDA; RIBEIRO, MIRIAM O.; SANTOS, JR., ARNALDO R.; CARNEIRO-RAMOS, MARCELA S.; CHRISTOFFOLETE, MARCELO A. Is the FVB/N mouse strain truly resistant to diet-induced obesity?. PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS, v. 5, n. 9 MAY 2017. Web of Science Citations: 2.

OLIVEIRA, MARCELA; ASSIS, DIEGO M.; PASCHOALIN, THAYSA; MIRANDA, ANTONIO; RIBEIRO, ELIANE B.; JULIANO, MARIA A.; BROEMME, DIETER; CHRISTOFFOLETE, MARCELO AUGUSTO; BARROS, NILANA M. T.; CARMONA, ADRIANA K. Cysteine cathepsin S processes leptin, inactivating its biological activity. Journal of Endocrinology, v. 214, n. 2, p. 217-224, AUG 2012. Web of Science Citations: 5.