DC13
Impact of hub molecules and their combination on adipogenesis and function of human adipocytes/adipose tissue
Background: Obesity is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases and knowledge on both pathogenesis and treatment is incomplete. Hub molecules modulate adipocyte function via their impact on energy metabolism and signalling pathways, by acetylating, phosphorylating and methylating signalling molecules. Nutritional supplementation with hub molecules/precursors could be used to positively influence adipose tissue function and counteract metabolic disturbances. No systematic/comprehensive study of combining hub molecules has been performed on human adipocyte models and human adipose tissue. So far, studies reporting on circulatory hub molecule or precursor levels in healthy or obese children are also lacking.
Objectives: Measure impact of supplementation with combinations of hub molecules on (1) adipocyte function (hyperplasia, hypertrophy - capacity of adipose tissue to proliferate and take up, store and release lipids; differentiation and adipocytokine production), (2) check if effects in different healthy and diseased human adipocyte/adipose tissue models (visceral, subcutaneous, lipoma, insulin resistance), (3) determine corresponding changes in gene expression, (4) measure hub molecule precursors in serum of a large cohort of healthy and obese children and adolescents (LIFE Child study) and determine associations with glucose and fatty acid serum levels, inflammatory status, weight status and liver function