Epigenetic amelioration of overfeeding-inducible functional declines in various organs by medium-chain fatty acids

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H01964
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: MOCHIZUKI Kazuki 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 教授 (80423838)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 三宅 邦夫 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 准教授 (60550712) ; 三好 規之 静岡県立大学, 食品栄養科学部, 准教授 (70438191) ; 針谷 夏代 山梨学院大学, 健康栄養学部, 准教授 (80732784)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: BRD4 / 中鎖脂肪酸 / 代謝遺伝子 / 消化吸収遺伝子 / 生活習慣予防 / サルコペニア予防 / ライフステージ / 疾患ステージ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we revealed that medium-chain fatty acids induced expression of insulin-sensitive genes through histone acetylation in adipocytes, induced growth and reduced the risk of lifestyle-related diseases in later life by ameliorating insuficiency of insulin action and by promoting expression of digestive absorption genes. In addition, medium-chain fatty acids inhibited development of life style diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance and their complications in adulthood, and repressed development of malnutrition-related diseases in old age. Our results indicate that medium-chain fatty acids ameliorate organ functions by inducing histone acetylation in cells in particular adipocytes and repress development of life-style diseases.

Free Research Field

栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、中鎖脂肪酸が、ヒストンアセチル化修飾を介して代謝等の遺伝子の発現を増大させることを明らかにしたことである。社会的意義は、中鎖脂肪酸は、ライフステージ・疾患ステージで臓器機能の低下を回復し、多くの疾患を改善しうる点を示したことである。