"Brain-Mind" Stress and Atherosclerotic Disease: Mechanisms Unveiled through Lipid Metabolite Analysis

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08422
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Shinohara Masakazu 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 准教授 (80437483)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 脂質代謝物解析 / ストレス / 質量分析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epidemiological studies have revealed the association between stress and the occurrence of cardiovascular events, as well as reports indicating an increase in cardiovascular events following major disasters such as earthquakes. It is becoming clear that stress on the "brain-mind" axis is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The key academic question of this research project is why stress on the "brain-mind" axis leads to atherosclerotic diseases. In this study, we identified novel bioactive lipid metabolites in the bloodstream that link stress to the development of atherosclerotic diseases. We found that these metabolites exert anti-inflammatory effects in vascular endothelial cells, contributing to vascular protection.

Free Research Field

分子疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究を通して、特定の多価不飽和脂肪酸代謝物がストレスにより血中にて低下し、血管内皮細胞における多彩な抗炎症作用が失われることで、動脈硬化疾患等、炎症性疾患の発症に結びつくことが示唆された。さまざまな疾患が「脳・こころ」への慢性ストレスの結果生じることが明らかになりつつあり、ストレスと疾患との関連性に注目が集まっている現代社会において、これらストレス関連疾患の予防・治療介入として、本代謝物に着目した研究開発を進めることは、学術的・社会的意義が高いと考える。