Characterization of the hypothalamic AMPK/mTOR in cancer-induced anorexia

• Grant number: 11/02806-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: José Barreto Campello Carvalheira
• Grantee: Gustavo Duarte Pimentel
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57952-5 - National Institute of Obesity and Diabetes, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/01649-0 - Characterization of hypothalamic AMPK in tumoral development and inflammatory central and systemic process in rodents, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The theory of diseases generated by inflammatory cytokines brought over the years evidence that the body may produce through cytokine biological or detrimental responses. In the mid-19th century, Rudolf Virchow suggested a possible association between inflammation and development of diseases. Thus, believed that inflammation is a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of some diseases such as obesity and cancer. Currently, is well established that obesity is associated with a state of subclinical chronic inflammation (low grade) and the cancer is associated with a severe inflammation. Recently, several studies suggest that hypothalamic AMPK, an enzyme important in the control of energy homeostasis is also responsible for modulating inflammation. A previous study from our laboratory showed that the activation of hypothalamic AMPK triggers a central and systemic anti-inflammatory action. However, only in vitro studies with macrophages and endothelial cells shows evidences that inhibition or deletion of AMPK increases inflammation. Thus, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the role of inhibition of hypothalamic AMPK in the development of central and systemic inflammation in models of obesity and cancer. Likewise, we believe that this project will contribute to a better understanding of how the hypothalamic and systemic inflammation can be modulated by hypothalamic AMPK.

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)

PIMENTEL, GUSTAVO D.; GANESHAN, KIRTHANA; CARVALHEIRA, JOSE B. C.. Hypothalamic inflammation and the central nervous system control of energy homeostasis. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, v. 397, n. 1-2, SI, p. 15-22, NOV 25 2014. (11/02806-7, 13/01649-0)

Academic Publications

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

PIMENTEL, Gustavo Duarte. Characterization of hypothalamic AMPK/mTOR in cancer-induced anorexia. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Campinas, SP.