SEMINAR
University of Maastricht, Netherlands
The number of people suffering from metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing worldwide. This urges for new therapeutic strategies to combat this growing epidemic of metabolic diseases. Reduction in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function is one of the characteristics of metabolic diseases and therefore a target for intervention. Indeed, exercise training, known to enhance mitochondrial metabolism, is one of the best strategies to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. Moreover, we have previously shown that the dietary polyphenol Resveratrol has beneficial effects on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and metabolic health in humans.
Recently, brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been identified as another target tissue to improve metabolic health in humans. BAT contain specialized mitochondria that express UCP1 and which can dissipate energy as heat. In humans, BAT can be activated by acute cold exposure, is related to cold-induced thermogenesis, and is reduced in obese subjects. We have recently shown that ten days of cold acclimatization can induce the recruitment of BAT in humans.
In this presentation, recent data will be presented on the role of mitochondrial function in metabolic health and the effects of resveratrol on obesity and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, interventions investigating the role of BAT in type 2 diabetes mellitus will be presented.
Hosts: Prof. Bruno Lemaitre (EPFL), Prof. Lluis Fajas (UNIL) and Prof. Kristina Schoonjans (EPFL)
For those who would like to see Prof. Schrauwen, please contact Prof. Kristina Schoonjans.