The impact of physical exercise associated or not with taurine supplementation on intramuscular fat infiltration in older women with obesity: a transcryptomical and metabolomic approach.

• Grant number: 25/03061-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Ellen Cristini de Freitas
• Grantee: Ana Claudia Rossini Venturini
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/11820-5 - Nr1d1 function on the aging-associated Sarcopenia, AP.TEM

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Aging is related with physiological, metabolic, and functional changes, largely resulting from changes in body composition over time. In particular, there is an increase in intramuscular fat infiltration (IFI), which may play a crucial role in age-associated muscle dysfunction. In addition to aging, obesity also contributes to IFI. The mechanisms that regulate this process are complex and involve modulation of several signaling pathways. Non-pharmacological strategies are being used to minimize the outcomes of IFI. Exercise is widely recognized as a powerful modulator of adipose and muscle tissue metabolism, impacting several metabolic processes. Taurine may represent a potential non-pharmacological therapeutic target in promoting muscle health. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a strategy to reverse IFI in obese individuals. In this scenario, physical exercise and taurine supplementation can be used as non-pharmacological interventions with relevant effects in the context of obesity and IFI in the aging process. However, there are no studies associating the synergistic effect of physical exercise and taurine on intramuscular fat infiltration and the impact on the transcriptomic and metabolomic profile in older women with obesity. It is expected that the practice of physical exercise and taurine supplementation will reduce the IFI and thus improve muscle quality and physical capacities. In addition, it will promote beneficial outcomes for the transcriptomic and metabolic profile in older women with obesity. GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of physical exercise associated or not with taurine supplementation on muscle fat infiltration and on the transcriptomic and metabolic profile in older women with obesity. METHODS: This study will be organized in three stages. In stage one will be performed in a cell culture assay using the Transwell system. In stage two, a multicomponent physical training program will be applied for 8 weeks in SAMP8 mice induced obesity. In stage three, older women (60 to 75 years old) with obesity (BMI = 30 and 40 kg/m2) will undergo a multicomponent training protocol for 12 weeks. The older women will be randomly distributed into 4 groups: Control group (GCon); Exercise group (Gex): Taurine group (Gtau) and Exercise and taurine group (Gex+tau). The pre- and post-intervention collections and evaluations will be: functional capacity tests, indirect calorimetry, body composition assessment, magnetic resonance imaging, anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height, BMI, abdominal circumference, food consumption assessment, muscle tissue biopsy and blood collection. In the 6th week, body composition and food consumption will be reassessed. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used for statistical analysis, followed by Tukey's post hoc test for normal data. For data without normal distribution, a non-parametric test (Kruskal Wallis test) will be used. To verify the association between changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of skeletal muscle, we will perform Weighted Analyte Correlation Network Analysis. Thus, this study aims to explore the synergistic effect of physical exercise associated or not with taurine supplementation on the infiltration of intramuscular fat in older women with obesity and the possible associated molecular mechanisms. This research proposal aims to advance this field, with the objective of promoting innovative actions for prevention and non-pharmacological treatment aimed at obesity and aging. (AU)