The sex-dependent effects of amino acid-based diets on energy metabolism: innovative approaches to manage the metabolic syndrome

The stimulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and energy expenditure has gained prominence in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In this context, I propose innovative nutritional strategies as efficient tools to promote BAT thermogenic program, with therapeutic effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). There are four aims.

Aim 1 focuses on the sex-based efficacy of essential amino acid (EAA)-based supplements and designer diets in the animal models of diet-induced obesity and in the chronic subordination stress model of MetS.

I investigate whether and how sex differences influence BAT thermogenesis activation induced by nutritional challenges and the role of the sympathetic nervous system (BAT-denervated, β-less mice, optogenetic methods to evaluate the ability of diets/supplements to increase the SNS capacity).

Aim 2 characterizes the role of BAT as a secretory organ, using state-of-the-art techniques (transcriptomics, metabolomics, BAT ablation/transplantation). Aim 3 studies the sex-based beneficial effects of supplements in men and women with severe obesity.

Aim 4 relates to the additional non-academic placement period in Professional Dietetics, a company with a strong background in developing amino acid-based formulas for medical use, to acquire knowledge about patent management and regulatory affairs in the healthcare industry.At UMN, I will exploit the outgoing supervisor’s expertise in metabolic physiology and SNS regulating BAT function in obesity.

At UMIL, I will refine the knowledge and skills acquired during the outgoing phase. My final goal is to implement individualised and sex-based guidance to ameliorate metabolic disorders. This result will place me privileged to establish myself as a competent researcher within the European Community.