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Obesity Metabolism

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. Obese individuals have increased risk of developing insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and various cancers. The Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms that cause obesity and obesity-related complications. By understanding the basis of obesity we are interested in developing strategies to ameliorate obesity and its complications. One focus of our laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which adipocytes regulate triglyceride storage. Our laboratory has been a leader in understanding the role of the lipid droplet protein, perilipin, in modulating triglyceride storage and lipolysis in adipocytes. Building upon basic studies, we incorporate animal models, genetics, and studies in humans to understand the significance of perilipin and the role of adipocytes in regulating metabolism. We are very interested in understanding how different tissues such as adipocyte, liver, muscle, and immune cells interact to regulate systemic metabolism. For example, with obesity adipose tissue becomes infiltrated with macrophages which ultimately result in adipose tissue inflammation that promotes insulin resistance and obesity complications. Our laboratory has been a leader in understanding some of the pathways and significance of adipose tissue metabolism. We are working to develop strategies that include nutritional studies and exercise that will ameliorate obesity and its complications.

The aging population is increasing. An important goal of our laboratory is to promote healthy and normative aging. One of the most common health conditions associated with aging is increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Aging can be associated with loss of fat mass. Menopause is associated with increased central adiposity and increased risk for developing the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. A recent finding of our laboratory showed that estrogen can reduce body weight by inhibiting lipogenic processes in adipocytes, liver, and muscle as well as to increase oxidative processes in muscle. We are now working towards understanding the molecular mechanisms and systemic pathways by which estrogen ameliorates obesity and its related complications.

To enhance our scientific capabilities we have established many collaborations both in the United States and internationally. We collaborate with individuals and laboratories that have complementary expertise in food intake, cell biology, human metabolism, exercise, and genetics.