The role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) on cardiovascular function in aged mice

• Grant number: 17/17106-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: October 31, 2017
• End date: April 29, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: José Rodrigo Pauli
• Grantee: Vitor Rosetto Muñoz
• Supervisor: Kristin Irene Stanford
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/26000-2 - The role of Rock protein on glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle of exercised rodents during the aging process, BP.MS

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death of a large part of the population. CVD is responsible for 25% of deaths in United States and compromises the longevity. This disease is associated with different molecular disorders, which reduces the cardiomyocytes size and function. In aged individuals, the loss of organ homeostasis can contribute to impaired cardiac cell function, and strategies are emerging to prevent the CVD in these population. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) acts as a thermogenic tissue dissipating chemical energy as heat. Then, increased BAT activity results in increased energy expenditure, decreased plasma glucose and lipids, improving metabolic health. The thermogenic activity of BAT is impaired with aging, a factor that can be associated with worsening metabolic health and the onset of CVD. In addition, regarding the BAT endocrine function, as described in recent studies, we hypothesize that increased BAT mass can enhance glucose uptake in heart tissue and protects against impaired cardiomyocytes function in aged mice. Moreover, we will investigate the association of 12, 13-diHOME lipid with increased BAT mass after transplantation on cardiovascular function. In sum, the focus of this project is to elucidate the role of BAT on heart function in aged mice, and the specific mechanism by which BAT protects against CVD. This data will lead to a new therapeutic approach to combat CVD and enhance the population lifespan. (AU)