The laboratory research on obesity explore new aspects of fatty acid metabolism in fat and muscle cells and explores the relationship between metabolic pathways and inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue. These topics are addressed by an approach that combines clinical studies in obese patients, an approach in transgenic mouse models and studies of human cell models. The laboratory has characterized the major determinants of gene expression in human adipose tissue. The studies have helped to better understand the relationship between adipocyte metabolism, macrophage immune response and fibrosis of adipose tissue. In addition, researchers have demonstrated new roles metabolic lipases, enzymes that catalyze the release of fatty acids from the lipid stocks in glucose metabolism and its control by insulin.
Expected health benefits:
The results of our projects may contribute to:
- Development Of a new classification of responses to low-calorie diets and physical activity programs
- Development Of diagnostics on the basis of gene expression profiles in adipose tissue, metabolic and hormonal responses
- Recommendations Individual programs for weight loss with an appropriate combination of caloric restriction and exercise
- Development Of new therapeutic strategies in the field of obesity and its complications