Intranet Campus web

The role of the endocannabinoid system in metabolic effects of marine omega-3 phospholipids (concluded project)


Metabolic disturbances in obesity are associated with dysregulation of the endocannabinoid (EC) system. We have shown in mice fed an obesogenic high-fat diet that metabolic effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids were stronger when supplied in the phospholipid form (omega-3 PL) as compared with triacylglycerols (Rossmeisl et al. 2012. PloS One). These effects were associated with a more efficient modulation of major EC molecules in white adipose tissue (WAT).

In this project, we will characterize

  1. omega-3-induced changes in the content of EPA, DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids in relevant lipid fractions from WAT, liver and plasma, and their relationship to the levels of EC molecules and metabolic profile during obesity development
  2. mechanisms, by which omega-3 PL affect insulin sensitivity of the organism
  3. changes in lipid metabolism of hepatocytes due to the modulation of the EC system in WAT by omega-3 PL
  4. metabolic effects of omega-3 in transgenic mice carrying human PPARalpha.

Our results will help to clarify, how modulation of the EC system by omega-3 contributes to their beneficial effects in obesity.

Main publication outputs of the research team at IPHYS (Rossmeisl et al. 2018. BBA-Mol Cell Biol Lipids; Rossmeisl et al. 2020. BBA-Mol Cell Biol Lipids)

Supported by the CSF projects (no. 14-09347S; 2014-2016; and no. 17-11027S, 2017-2019) PI: Martin Rossmeisl, MD, PhD.