Neuropeptides that regulate food intake, which are secreted and act in the central nervous system, play a crucial role in the pathology of obesity and type 2 DM. The project will use novel synthetic analogues of natural neuropeptides that will be tested in experimental models of metabolic syndrome. These analogues may have potential as therapeutics against obesity and type 2 DM. These new analogues will be designed, synthesised and tested in vitro at the IOCB. The selected active analogues will then be tested in preclinical models of obesity and type 2 DM (mouse, rat) at the IOCB and the IPHYS. In the IPHYS, the effects on whole-body lipid oxidation, body temperature and physical activity, cardiovascular parameters, insulin sensitivity, circadian clock, in correlation with markers of obesity and its effects on immunometabolism will be studied.
