Effects of a high saturated fat diet on inflammatory response in aortic endothelium of TLR-4 (-/-) mice supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

• Grant number: 10/08872-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Rui Curi
• Grantee: Laureane Nunes Masi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

High fat diet is associated with insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, but the effects of n-3 and n-6 FA on inflammatory processes and its association with insulin resistance still remain to be clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of n-3 (fish oil) and n-6 (soybean oil) FA supplementation on the inflammatory process, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction induced by high saturated fat diet and the involvement of TLR-receptor 4 in these conditions. We will examine the vascular endothelium of the aorta from C3H/HeJ and TLR-4 (-/-) knockout mice. The supplementation with n-3 or n-6 FA will initiate in the first week and will extend until to the end of the experimental protocol (week 12). Up to the fourth week of FA supplementation, the animals will receive a balanced diet. After this period, animals will continue in a balanced diet or will be subjected to high saturated fat diet for 8 weeks (from weeks 5 to 12). The following parameters will be measured: insulin sensitivity, endothelial activation markers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectina, P-selectina, MCP-1 and eNOS), mediators of inflammation (IL-6, TNF-alfa, IL-1 beta, IL-10 and C-reactive protein, TLR-4 protein and signaling proteins (MyD88, IRAK1 and NFºB) and MAPKinases signaling (JNK and p38). A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the FA action have direct impact on the elucidation of the issues related to obesity and endothelial dysfunction as well as in developing new therapies that target intracellular pathways involved in inflammation.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MASI, Laureane Nunes. Peripheral insulin-sensitivity and inflammation response under obesogenic diets, fish oil supplementation and absence of TLR-4.. 2014. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.