Location: Dietary Prevention of Obesity-related Disease Research
Project Number: 3062-51000-053-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Oct 1, 2014
End Date: Jun 9, 2019
Objective:
Objective 1: Determine the effect of consuming dietary sources of fat with varied saturation and chain length on the physiological responses of satiety, lipid oxidation, and energy metabolism.
Sub-objective 1A: Determine the acute effects of consuming dietary fats of varied saturation and chain length on satiety, thermogenesis and energy utilization in healthy individuals.
Sub-objective 1B: Determine the chronic effects of consuming dietary fats of varied saturation and chain length on satiety, energy utilization, and body composition.
Objective 2: Determine the role of long chain omega 3 (LCn3) fatty acids in modulating the function of bone cells and the contribution of RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway in obesity-induced changes in bone metabolism in animal and cell models.
Sub-objective 2A1: Define the role of LCn3 in preventing adiposity-induced bone loss.
Sub-objective 2B: Define the optimal ratio of n6/n3 in improving bone quality and quantity in an obesity animal model.
Objective 3: Define the influences of dietary fatty acids and energy balance upon conversion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n3) to LCn3.
Sub-Objective 3A: Determine the effects of saturated fatty acids (SFA) content upon mechanisms of ALA disposition under eucaloric conditions.
Sub-Objective 3B: Determine the effects of SFA content upon mechanisms of ALA disposition in rodents under hypercaloric conditions.
Objective 4: Define the extent to which consuming rainbow trout bred for elevated LCn3 content reduces CVD risk markers, such as platelet reactivity and related eicosanoids, in people.
Approach:
Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet. However, the fatty acid compositions of dietary fats are often overlooked in designing healthy diets. Many Americans consume diets high in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and low in unsaturated fatty acids, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn3). This imbalance may contribute to obesity and exacerbate osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of our work is to provide robust data that will inform evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate levels and composition of dietary fats to maintain health and prevent disease. We will accomplish this aim by completing four research objectives that will clarify how the fatty acid profile of dietary fat contributes to health, or conversely, to disease progression. These objectives will use a combination of clinical translational studies in humans and mechanistic studies in rodents and isolated cells. Objective 1 addresses the role of dietary fats in the development of obesity by studying their effects on the modulation of satiety and energy metabolism; Objective 2 addresses the roles of specific fatty acids in preventing bone structure deterioration and promoting bone health in obesity; Objective 3 addresses the impacts of dietary fatty acids and energy balance on LCn3 metabolism; Objective 4 addresses the impact of consuming LCn3-rich rainbow trout on CVD risk markers in humans. We will fulfill these objectives through a combination of clinical translational and mechanistic studies involving human volunteers and rodent models.
