EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF INTERESTERIFIED FAT ON ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS AND INSULIN SIGNALING IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS OF MICE

• Grant number: 23/17763-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Marciane Milanski Ferreira
• Grantee: Ana Julia Rodrigues Vitorino da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Interesterified fat has been an alternative for the food industry to the use of trans fat. The interesterification process promotes the reorganization of fatty acids in the glycerol molecule, without changing their degree of saturation. Recent studies have shown that its long-term consumption is related to the development of metabolic disorders in rodents, such as the promotion of weight gain, activation of inflammatory pathways, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and damage to intestinal health. The hypothalamus is an organ located in the central nervous system (CNS), responsible for controlling hunger and energy expenditure that expresses neurotransmitters, including POMC and AgRP/NPY, which respond to the circulation of peripheral hormones, such as leptin and insulin. When signaling is compromised, there is damage to the control of hunger and satiety. In obesity and/or through the consumption of excess fats, insulin sensitivity may be compromised in the hypothalamus, as well as in peripheral tissues, with impairment in glycemic and lipid metabolism. There are few studies regarding the consumption of interesterified fat and the activation of molecular pathways involved in energy homeostasis and sensitivity to hypothalamic hormones in the central nervous system. Therefore, this work aims to understand the effects of interesterified fat in triggering cellular processes that control the energy homeostasis in mice.