Long term effects of diet and exercise in childhood on lipid metabolism and heat production related gene expression in liver and brown adipose tissue

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11773
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: KIMURA Masaki 慶應義塾大学, 薬学部(芝共立), 講師 (40383666)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 長期的効果 / 運動習慣 / 食習慣 / 高脂肪食 / 肝臓 / 褐色脂肪 / 豊かな環境 / レガシー効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of diet and exercise in childhood on lipid metabolism and heat production related gene expression in liver and brown adipose tissue of adult mice.
In our results of microarray gene expression analysis, we found about 1,700～3,300 candidate genes that might show legacy effect after diet and exercise intervention in childhood. These genes contained lipid metabolism, heat production, and senescence related genes. Therefore, we checked the expression of senescence related gens in white adipose tissue, and then we found the statistically significant long-term effect of exercise in these genes.
In another experiment, the old mice did not show any significant changes in life span using environmental enrichment. These data suggested that the further investigation is needed to create a more effective environment on the longevity of life span.

Free Research Field

生理学，運動生理学，病態生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はマウスを用いた基礎的研究ではあるが，得られた結果を検証することによって，ヒトへの応用展開に対してある程度の知見を提供することが可能となると考えている．本研究の結果を広義に解釈することによって，子供の頃(若齢期)の食習慣および運動習慣が成人後(成熟期)の肝臓や褐色脂肪組織の機能に対して長期的に影響を及ぼす可能性が示され，白色脂肪組織では老化にも関与する可能性が示唆された．
また行動範囲が広く，活動内容に多様性があり，他者と接する機会の多い社会的に豊かな環境での生活は寿命を延長させる可能性が示唆されているが，より効果的な環境を模索・整備する為には今後も更なる検討が必要と思われた．