Elucidating the role of thermogenic fat cells in the regulation of eating behavior

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21216
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Oguri Yasuo 京都大学, 農学研究科, 助教 (60913308)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 熱産生脂肪細胞 / 食行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Thermogenic fat cells, including brown and beige adipocytes, increase energy consumption. In addition, recent studies have indicated that these cells also work as metabolic sink and secretory organs. Therefore, these cells could act as a potential novel therapeutic target for the treatment of lifestyle diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the role of these cells in controlling food intake remains unclear. Hence, in this study, we elucidated the role of thermogenic fat cells in the regulation of eating behavior.
In this study, we constructed thermogenic fat-deficient and activated mice models. Then, we assessed eating behavior in these mice as well as in the control mice using food choice test. Our findings indicate that thermogenic fat cells regulate eating behavior as well as energy expenditure.

Free Research Field

栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、食行動科学的な側面から熱産生脂肪の役割を検討することにより、従来の代謝研究では明らかにすることのできない、熱産生脂肪の新たな役割の解明に挑戦した。
熱産生脂肪細胞（褐色脂肪細胞、および、ベージュ脂肪細胞）は、エネルギー消費量を増加させ、肥満症や糖尿病の予防、改善に寄与することが知られている。そこで、本研究成果は、エネルギーの消費と摂取の両面から、肥満、糖尿病の改善にアプローチできる介入法の開発につながると考えられる。
また、食事内容の選択が必要となる現代の食生活様式では、食行動に及ぼす要因を明らかにすることは、より実践的な栄養指導方法の開発につながると考えられる。