Search for postprandial factors that regulate metabolism and analysis of therapeutic potential for obesity and diabetes

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17954
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Toda Gotaro 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (30780332)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 肥満 / 腸内細菌 / 免疫細胞 / サイトカイン / インスリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Obesity is a major risk factor for a myriad of diseases, including metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer which directly compromise the patient’s quality of life. Moreover, the pathogenesis of obesity is multifactorial, affected by lifestyle of which excess intake of food and a deficit in physical activity have been considered primary, and further driven by stress that comes from everyday life in modern society. Genetic factors also contribute to obesity. Physiologically, normal homeostasis is perturbed by these factors among which inflammation is a process that is driven by immune cells. We have shown through the present research that in the normal lean state, macrophages react to insulin and lipopolysaccharide from the intestinal microbiota and produce IL-10 through Akt-mTOR signaling, which normally suppresses gluconeogenesis after feeding.

Free Research Field

代謝

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

代表的な環境因子である食事に対する免疫細胞の正常な応答が、正常な代謝機能を維持しうることを明らかにした。免疫細胞は広範な疾患の病態形成に関わるため、その正常機能を維持することが新たな健康維持戦略になることが期待される。