Document Type
Oral Presentation
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor
David Champlin
Keywords
Obesity, epigenetics, liver, organ-cross talk, diet induced obesity
Abstract
Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) is variable in genetically identical mice. Previous studies have shown a connection between Mest high expression and propensity for fat mass expansion. WAT and liver crosstalk has been well documented with hormone-like peptides signaling and regulating important metabolic pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between these circulating factors and Mest expression in mice after exposure to a high fat diet (HFD). A group of 120 C57B6/J mice, males and females, were exposed to a HFD (Western Diet, 40 kcal% fat) for 4 weeks (8-12 weeks of age). Body composition by NMR and body weights were measured every 2 weeks from 4 until 12 weeks of age. WAT Mest and Lep expression was measured using qPCR after the 4 weeks of high fat diet. Plasma was collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age and levels of circulating factors RBP4, adropin, NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) and leptin were measured utilizing ELISA . Mice with high WAT Mest expression had higher susceptibility to obesity after 4 weeks of HFD with similar trends seen in males and females. Circulating levels of RBP4 and leptin were higher after 4 weeks of HFD in male and female mice with high WAT Mest expression. In contrast, circulating levels of adropin in males was not significantly different between mice with high or low WAT Mest expression. The same was seen with circulating NEFA levels in both male and female mice. These results suggest a potential connection between circulating RBP4 and leptin, and Mest expression that leads to fat mass expansion after exposure to a high fat diet. Further research to unveil the specific regulatory mechanisms and pathways involved is needed.
Included in
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons, Developmental Biology Commons, Other Genetics and Genomics Commons
Mesoderm-specific transcript has a role in the systemic regulation of obesity
Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) is variable in genetically identical mice. Previous studies have shown a connection between Mest high expression and propensity for fat mass expansion. WAT and liver crosstalk has been well documented with hormone-like peptides signaling and regulating important metabolic pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between these circulating factors and Mest expression in mice after exposure to a high fat diet (HFD). A group of 120 C57B6/J mice, males and females, were exposed to a HFD (Western Diet, 40 kcal% fat) for 4 weeks (8-12 weeks of age). Body composition by NMR and body weights were measured every 2 weeks from 4 until 12 weeks of age. WAT Mest and Lep expression was measured using qPCR after the 4 weeks of high fat diet. Plasma was collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age and levels of circulating factors RBP4, adropin, NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) and leptin were measured utilizing ELISA . Mice with high WAT Mest expression had higher susceptibility to obesity after 4 weeks of HFD with similar trends seen in males and females. Circulating levels of RBP4 and leptin were higher after 4 weeks of HFD in male and female mice with high WAT Mest expression. In contrast, circulating levels of adropin in males was not significantly different between mice with high or low WAT Mest expression. The same was seen with circulating NEFA levels in both male and female mice. These results suggest a potential connection between circulating RBP4 and leptin, and Mest expression that leads to fat mass expansion after exposure to a high fat diet. Further research to unveil the specific regulatory mechanisms and pathways involved is needed.
