Effect of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor on adipose tissue in a model of diet-induced obesity

• Grant number: 22/14598-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Lucila Leico Kagohara Elias
• Grantee: Michele de Souza Seixas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/18071-5 - Hydroelectrolytic and energy homeostasis: from cellular metabolism to endocrine systems in different phases of development, AP.TEM

Abstract

Obesity is associated with white adipose tissue hypertrophy and the increase of systemic inflammatory markers, which contributes to metabolic disorders. In this context, a phosphodiesterase 4 enzyme inhibitor has shown promise in reducing obesity's effects. Zhang et al. (2009), showed that mice fed a high-fat diet had reduced adiposity, lower serum leptin levels, as well as lower levels of TNF-± expression and lower macrophage infiltration of white adipose tissue. In this study, we will aim to evaluate the effects of the pharmacological inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, rolipram, on adipose tissue remodeling in animals fed a high-fat diet. Male C57BL/6 mice will be fed a control diet (CHOW) or a high fat diet (HFD; 60% lipid) for 10 weeks. At the 9th and 10th weeks, the animals will receive subcutaneous injection of vehicle ( VEH) or rolipram (ROL). At the end of the experiment, the tissues will be collected and the histological slides will be stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and digitized under a microscope. Subsequently, the adipocytes area will be quantified using specific software.