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Enhancing energy expenditure in white adipose tissue by combination treatments using omega-3 and calorie restriction (concluded project)

Enhancing energy expenditure in white adipose tissue by combination treatments using omega-3 and calorie restriction (concluded project) CT of obese mice with enhanced resolution of soft tissues.

Our previous studies demonstrated beneficial effect of omega-3 in prevention of obesity-related disorders (metabolic syndrome; Flachs et al. 2005. DiabetologiaFlachs et al. 2006. Diabetologia). Currently, we focuse on testing the potential of omega-3 to augment the effects of  lifestyle changes in the treatment of obesity-associated disorders. 

We have demonstrated recently in mice (Flachs P et al. 2011. Diabetologia) that a combination treatment with 10 % calorie restriction (CR) and 9 % replacement of lipids in corn oil-based high-fat diet by omega-3 exerted additive effects in the prevention of obesity and preservation of metabolic health, while inducing mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, quite specifically in abdominal white fat  (WAT). Metabolic changes in WAT were associated with synergistic up-regulation of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators by the combined intervention.

 

We aim to characterize

  1. the role of dietary carbohydrates in the effects of the combined intervention
  2. the biochemical basis of energy expenditure induced in WAT by combined intervention
  3. the integrating role of lipid mediators and PPARγ in the effects of the combined intervention on inflammation and metabolism
  4. the effects of a combined use of a natural CR mimetics and omega-3.

 

The goal of the project is to improve the strategy for obesity treatment using omega-3 in combination with other natural approaches, namely mild CR or its mimetics, depending on the modulation of adipose tissue metabolism (see our review article Flachs P et al. 2013. BBA).

 

Supported by the Project CSF (no. 13-00871S; 2013-2017) PI: Jan Kopecký, MD, DSc.