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Obesity and Metabolic Health Programme
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Obesity and ageing: implications for regulation of metabolic health - Dr. Carole Thivierge |
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RRI homepage > Research > Obesity and Metabolic Health Programme > Metabolic Health Group > Dr. Carole Thivierge |
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Areas of Research• Insulin sensitivity impacts on glucose and protein metabolism • Nutrient flux partitioning using stable isotopes of glucose and amino acids • Molecular regulation of metabolism at the proteome level
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| Obesity is recognised to negatively impact on insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. In parallel, ageing is also known to increase the susceptibility to metabolic diseases. This is associated with a decline in insulin sensitivity with a gradual loss of muscle mass starting between 40- to 55-y-old. In combination, therefore, ageing plus overweight will be particularly detrimental to health. Our research uses an integrative approach that examines the separate and combined impact of ageing and obesity on metabolic health, particularly aspects that relate to insulin regulation of glucose and nitrogen homeostasis. Recent nutrition evidence highlighting the benefits of nutraceuticals and functional nutrients on metabolic health have revolutionized nutritional advice that now embraces the concept of eating correct food and ingredients in the right proportions. In this regard, we investigate the role of functional nutrients, such as EPA and DHA from fish oil, in regulating insulin sensitivity of glucose and protein metabolism. Insulin is known to regulate both metabolic pathways through common cellular signalling intermediates. To assess glucose and protein metabolism simultaneously, we perform a novel approach consisting of hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic-euaminoacidemic clamps. The use of multiple stable isotopes of nutrients enables the net disposals obtained from the clamp procedure to be further delineated into nutrient fluxes across the key tissues affected by insulin action, i.e. liver and muscle. These nutrient flows are further translated into the downstream cellular biochemistry of the proteome. This integrated in vivo approach provides a powerful tool in assessing specific strategies aiming to prevent or ameliorate the development of the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. As a new permanent member of staff at the Rowett Research Institute, such an approach will be performed using human and rat models. |
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• Contact Molecular Endocrinology Group (staff list) |
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Recent Publications | |
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A.A Gingras. P.J. White P.Y. Chouinard, P. Julien, T.A. Davis, L. Dombrowski, Y. Couture, P. Dubreuil, A. Myre, K. Bergeron, A. Marette & M. C. Thivierge (2007). Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids regulate bovine whole-body protein metabolism by promoting muscle insulin signalling to the Akt-mTOR-S6K1 pathway and insulin sensitivity. Journal of Physiology (London) 579:269-84. K. Bergeron, P. Julien, T.A. Davis, A. Myre, & M.C. Thivierge (2007) Long-chain n-3 fatty acids enhance neonatal insulin-regulated protein metabolism in neonate piglets by differentially modifying muscle phospholipid and intramuscular triglyceride composition. Journal of Lipid Research (in press; M7:00166-JLR) M.C. Thivierge, J.A. Bush, A. Suryawan, H.V. Nguyen, R.A. Orellana, D.G. Burrin, F. Jahoor & T.A. Davis (2005) Whole-body and hindlimb protein breakdown are differently altered by feeding in neonatal piglets. Journal of Nutrition 135:1430-1437. T.A. Davis, A. Suryawan, J.A. Bush, P.M.J. O’Connor & M.C. Thivierge (2003) Interaction of amino acids and hormones in the regulation of protein metabolism in growing animals. Canadian Journal Animal Science 83: 357-364. |
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Contact details for Dr. Carole Thivierge |
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