Role of hypothalamic stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 in neuronal apoptosis and obesity

• Grant number: 13/22276-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Licio Augusto Velloso
• Grantee: Rodrigo Ferreira de Moura
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Animal models studies show that saturated fat-rich diets lead to obesity by inflammatory responses, followed by endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis of hypothalamic neurons. Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) promotes the conversion of saturated fat acids in monounsaturated fat acids. The role of this protein present tissue specific characteristics. Studies in vivo and in vitro has been shown that pro- or anti- apoptotic features are dependent of the cell type evaluated. However, SCD role on the hypothalamus is yet to be unveiled. Thus, the understanding of the SCD2 role (most abundant isoform in the brain) on the molecular responses elicited by high fat diet is relevant. Therefore, the aim of the present study is characterize the role of the SCD2 in diet-induced obese mice, through hypothalamic microinjections of lentivirus for knockdown and protein overexpression. Additionally, to analyze the apoptosis of neuronal lineage cells mHypoA by saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. This may possibility advances in the nutritionals and pharmacologycal interventions for treatment and prevention of obesity.