The goal of this thesis project is to determine whether the metabolism of fatty acid within the hypothalamus plays an important role in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis in aging. Specifically, I plan to induce bi-directional changes in the hypothalamic expression of two critical enzymes in fatty acid metabolism: malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MOD) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and then examine their impact on the metabolic syndrome of aging in rats. I will pursue two experimental aims. 1) Identify the role of malonyl-CoA in the development of the metabolic syndrome of aging. I postulate that decreased cellular levels of malonyl-CoA lead to the progressive loss of lipid (and other nutrient) sensing in the hypothalamus of aging rats 2) Identify the role of LCFA-CoA in the development of the metabolic syndrome of aging. I postulate that decreased cellular levels of LCFA-CoA lead to the progressive loss of lipid (and other nutrient) sensing in the hypothalamus of aging rats. In doing these experiments, I will learn multiple physiologic, pharmacologic, and molecular techniques that will help me grow into an independent scientist while solving an important medical problem.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
5F30AG029713-04
Application #
7767693
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F06-G (20))
Program Officer
Petanceska, Suzana
Project Start
2007-02-15
Project End
2010-03-14
Budget Start
2010-02-15
Budget End
2010-03-14
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$2,115
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
110521739
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
Ross, R A; Rossetti, L; Lam, T K T et al. (2010) Differential effects of hypothalamic long-chain fatty acid infusions on suppression of hepatic glucose production. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 299:E633-9
Ross, Rachel; Wang, Penny Y T; Chari, Madhu et al. (2008) Hypothalamic protein kinase C regulates glucose production. Diabetes 57:2061-5