108 results match your criteria: "Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC)[Affiliation]"

Objective: Liver X receptors (LXRs) play essential roles in cholesterol homeostasis and immune response. In obesity, elevated cholesterol levels trigger proinflammatory responses; however, the specific contributions of LXRs to adipose tissue (AT) macrophage (ATM) phenotype and metabolic programming are not fully understood. In this study, we determine the role of LXR isoforms in diet-induced obesity AT inflammation and insulin resistance.

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Impact of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Body Weight and Food Intake Regulation in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Curr Issues Mol Biol

November 2024

Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083864, SP, Brazil.

The epidemic of obesity has increased worldwide and is associated with comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this context, strategies that modulate body weight and improve glycemic metabolism have increased, and bariatric surgeries such as Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) have been highlighted in obesity treatment. However, the mechanism by which SG reduces body weight and improves glycemic control remains unknown.

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The teaching of physiology plays a crucial role in the education of health care professionals. However, traditional approaches to physiology classes in undergraduate health courses in Brazil often result in passive student participation. Research has shown that active methodologies are more effective in the learning process.

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While mechanisms controlling uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in thermogenic adipocytes play a pivotal role in non-shivering thermogenesis, it remains unclear whether FFo-ATP synthase function is also regulated in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here, we show that inhibitory factor 1 (IF1, encoded by Atp5if1), an inhibitor of ATP synthase hydrolytic activity, is a critical negative regulator of brown adipocyte energy metabolism. In vivo, IF1 levels are diminished in BAT of cold-adapted mice compared to controls.

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Article Synopsis
  • Fasting has been shown to enhance health, lifespan, and tissue repair across various organisms, including humans, but the impact of post-fast refeeding on adult stem cells and cancer development is not well understood.
  • Research indicates that refeeding after fasting boosts intestinal stem cell growth and increases the risk of tumors, especially when the tumor suppressor gene Apc is absent in the stem cells.
  • The study's findings highlight the activation of mTORC1 in post-fast-refed stem cells, which promotes protein synthesis and regeneration, suggesting that diet strategies should carefully manage refeeding to avoid raising cancer risks.
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Tumor-associated myeloid-derived cells (MDCs) significantly impact cancer prognosis and treatment responses due to their remarkable plasticity and tumorigenic behaviors. Here, we integrate single-cell RNA-sequencing data from different cancer types, identifying 29 MDC subpopulations within the tumor microenvironment. Our analysis reveals abnormally expanded MDC subpopulations across various tumors and distinguishes cell states that have often been grouped together, such as TREM2+ and FOLR2+ subpopulations.

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Tissue-specific roles of mitochondrial unfolded protein response during obesity.

Obes Rev

September 2024

Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Exercise (LaBMEx), Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil.

Obesity is a worldwide multifactorial disease caused by an imbalance in energy metabolism, increasing adiposity, weight gain, and promoting related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Recent findings have reported that metabolic stress related to obesity induces a mitochondrial stress response called mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR), a quality control pathway that occurs in a nuclear DNA-mitochondria crosstalk, causing transduction of chaperones and proteases under stress conditions. The duality of UPR signaling, with both beneficial and detrimental effects, acts in different contexts depending on the tissue, cell type, and physiological states, affecting the mitochondrial function and efficiency and the metabolism homeostasis during obesity, which remains not fully clarified.

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Human space exploration poses inherent risks to astronauts' health, leading to molecular changes that can significantly impact their well-being. These alterations encompass genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased inflammation, homeostatic dysregulation, and various epigenomic changes. Remarkably, these changes bear similarities to those observed during the aging process on Earth.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists found a special mix of tiny molecules called microRNAs that can help understand and fix damage caused by radiation in space.
  • They did experiments to see how a treatment using three different microRNAs could help protect cells from this damage by reducing inflammation and improving cell functions.
  • The results from astronauts in different space missions showed that this treatment might help astronauts stay healthier during long space trips.
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Whey derived peptides have shown potential activity improving brain function in pathological condition. However, there is little information about their mechanism of action on glial cells, which have important immune functions in brain. Astrocytes and microglia are essential in inflammatory and oxidative defense that take place in neurodegenerative disease.

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The thyroid gland is susceptible to abnormal epithelial cell growth, often resulting in thyroid dysfunction. The serine-threonine protein kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates cellular metabolism, proliferation, and growth through two different protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The PI3K-Akt-mTORC1 pathway's overactivity is well associated with heightened aggressiveness in thyroid cancer, but recent studies indicate the involvement of mTORC2 as well.

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An Intricate Network Involving the Argonaute ALG-1 Modulates Organismal Resistance to Oxidative Stress.

Nat Commun

April 2024

Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cellular response to redox imbalance is crucial for organismal health. microRNAs are implicated in stress responses. ALG-1, the C.

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Diving into the proteomic atlas of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells.

Sci Rep

March 2024

Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic was initiated by the rapid spread of a SARS-CoV-2 strain. Though mainly classified as a respiratory disease, SARS-CoV-2 infects multiple tissues throughout the human body, leading to a wide range of symptoms in patients. To better understand how SARS-CoV-2 affects the proteome from cells with different ontologies, this work generated an infectome atlas of 9 cell models, including cells from brain, blood, digestive system, and adipocyte tissue.

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The aim was to understand the direct impact of aerobic short-term exercise on lipid metabolism, specifically in regulating the mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2) and how it interferes with lipid metabolism in mesenteric adipose tissue. Swiss mice were divided into three groups: control, sedentary obese, and exercised obese. The obese groups were induced into obesity for fourteen weeks of a high-fat diet, and the trained submitted to seven aerobic exercise sessions.

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KSRP improves pancreatic beta cell function and survival.

Sci Rep

March 2024

Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083864, Brazil.

Impaired insulin production and/or secretion by pancreatic beta cells can lead to high blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, investigating new proteins involved in beta cell response to stress conditions could be useful in finding new targets for therapeutic approaches. KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) is a protein usually involved in gene expression due to its role in post-transcriptional regulation.

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Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a well-established method for improving tissue oxygenation and is typically used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including infectious diseases. However, its effect on the intestinal mucosa, a microenvironment known to be physiologically hypoxic, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that daily treatment with hyperbaric oxygen affects gut microbiome composition, worsening antibiotic-induced dysbiosis.

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Thymic Innervation Impairment in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Neuroimmunomodulation

February 2024

Autoimmune Research Lab., Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for normal T-cell development. Yet, in abnormal metabolic conditions as well as an acute infection, the organ exhibits morphological and cellular alterations. It is well established that the immune system is in a tidy connection and dependent on the central nervous system (CNS), which regulates thymic function by means of innervation and neurotransmitters.

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Vertical sleeve gastrectomy improves glucose-insulin homeostasis by enhancing β-cell function and survival via FGF15/19.

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab

February 2024

Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) restores glucose homeostasis in obese mice and humans. In addition, the increased fibroblast growth factor (FGF)15/19 circulating level postsurgery has been implicated in this effect. However, the impact of FGF15/19 on pancreatic islets remains unclear.

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Purpose: Reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) showed beneficial effects on the dystrophic muscles. However, the mechanisms of this therapy influence the molecular pathways in the dystrophic muscles, particularly related to antioxidant effects, which still needs to be elucidated.

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Association between protein undernutrition and diabetes: Molecular implications in the reduction of insulin secretion.

Rev Endocr Metab Disord

April 2024

Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Carl Von Linnaeus Bloco Z, Campinas, SP, Cep: 13083-864, Brazil.

Undernutrition is still a recurring nutritional problem in low and middle-income countries. It is directly associated with the social and economic sphere, but it can also negatively impact the health of the population. In this sense, it is believed that undernourished individuals may be more susceptible to the development of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, throughout life.

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Tissue-specific overexpression of systemic RNA interference components limits lifespan in C. elegans.

Gene

February 2024

Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil; Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Program in Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Experimental Medicine Research Cluster (EMRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • Emerging research shows that RNA transport between cells is an important signaling mechanism in mammals and is also present in the nematode C. elegans via the systemic RNA interference (RNAi) pathway.
  • Mutations in the SID-1 protein, which is crucial for RNA uptake, do not negatively impact C. elegans health, but overexpressing SID-1 in specific tissues leads to a shorter lifespan due to dysregulated RNA signaling.
  • The study identifies the need for balanced systemic RNA signaling, coining the term Intercellular/Extracellular Systemic RNA imbalance (InExS) to describe how imbalances can significantly affect longevity in organisms.
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COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The betacoronavirus continues to evolve with global health implications as we race to learn more to curb its transmission, evolution, and sequelae. The focus of this review, the second of a three-part series, is on the biological effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on post-acute disease in the context of tissue and organ adaptations and damage.

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Physical exercise elicits UPR in the skeletal muscle: The role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Mol Metab

December 2023

Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Exercise (LaBMEx), School of Applied Sciences (FCA), University of Campinas (Unicamp), Limeira, Brazil; Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine. University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

Objective: The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive cellular response to stress to ensure mitochondrial proteostasis and function. Here we explore the capacity of physical exercise to induce UPR in the skeletal muscle.

Methods: Therefore, we combined mouse models of exercise (swimming and treadmill running), pharmacological intervention, and bioinformatics analyses.

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