Assessment of dioxin exposition in the development and progression of obesity

• Grant number: 16/18131-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Toxicology
• Principal Investigator: Camila Peres Buzalaf
• Grantee: Vitor Leonardo Bassan
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Sagrado Coração (USC). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Dioxins, persistent toxic pollutants in the environment, are widely associated with various aggravations to human health. With regard to them toxic effects, several studies have shown an association between exposure to these elements and the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of diseases associated with obesity such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although genetic and environmental factors are considered the main etiological components of obesity, several studies have shown that inflammatory and immune factors also contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease. This is due to immune and metabolic interactions, which take place mainly in the adipose tissue. Epidemiologic and experimental studies have shown that various uterine exposure to toxicants increases the risk of obesity, for inconclusive mechanisms. However, little is known about the contribution of dioxin in juvenile predisposition to the development and progression of this condition, focusing on mechanisms induced in the adipose tissue. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of in vivo exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), before and after induction of experimental obesity on the parameters obese and diabetic. Wistar rats receive TCDD before, after or concurrently with the high calorie diet. After that, triglycerides and cholesterol in visceral adipose tissue and plasma will be quantified as well as the determination of insulin and glucose for the determination of insulin resistance. Furthermore, the protein expression of 5-lipoxygenase, Apo-E and PPAR-gamma will be evaluated for determination of inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms induced by TCDD in the adipose tissue. Thus, we intend to identify the relevance of dioxin exposure period to determine its toxic effects on lipid metabolism and the mechanisms involved. (AU)