Evaluation of the aging effects on postprandial responses: comparison between reproductive-age and postmenopausal women.

• Grant number: 22/08109-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Jarlei Fiamoncini
• Grantee: Amanda Domingos Vasconcelos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy is a worldwide phenomenon, that brings together increased incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases, normally observed in aging individuals. The desired lifespan extension is also accompanied by longer periods of life where chronic diseases are also observed. Menopause is a natural process entangled with aging in women, that normally takes place in the fourth decade of life. This phase is characterized by a decrease in follicular ovary activity that leads to endocrine changes and energy metabolism, inducing changes in body composition and intermediary metabolism, compromising life quality and expectancy. The postprandial period is comprised between the first hours after the ingestion of a meal, when physiological processes such as the digestion of food, absorption and distribution of nutrients take place. The analysis of these processes allows the assessment of metabolic health or diagnosis of diseases in a more refined way than the assessment of metabolism in the fasted state. These responses to meal intake have not yet been sufficiently characterized at different stages of life, so we do not know what impact menopause, for example, has on these metabolic changes. If we consider the recent advent of omics techniques, we can state that only now, with the possibility of simultaneous evaluation of hundreds of metabolites in small volumes of biofluids, certain aspects of metabolism can be effectively evaluated. The present proposal is focused on the investigation of postprandial metabolism in women and the influence of menopause on this process. By carrying out dietary challenges with women of reproductive age and post-menopause, we hope to contribute to the understanding of the metabolic changes that occur after menopause and to point out mechanisms involved in the development of chronic diseases, characteristic of this phase of life. Predicted outcomes range from a greater understanding of the physiology of menopause to the identification of early markers of metabolic disease in postmenopausal women.

Academic Publications

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

VASCONCELOS, Amanda Domingos. Postprandial metabolic and inflammatory responses in women: impact of aging and menopause. 2024. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.