Project description
Role of male hypogonadism in obesity development
Obesity significantly increases the risk of morbid chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Recent studies suggest that obesity is associated with hypogonadism, characterised by low levels of endogenous testosterone that substantially elevates metabolic risk. With funding from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GLIA-ReprObesity project proposes a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis as a central mechanism linking metabolic dysregulation and reproductive dysfunction. The project will use astrocyte- and microglia-specific mouse models of inflammatory signalling to find out the causative relationships between gliosis and hypogonadism. These studies could identify cellular targets for new therapies to decrease the metabolic harm from hypogonadism and to improve reproductive function.
Objective
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and a serious public health threat since it greatly increases the risk of highly morbid chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. A growing body of literature has suggested that obesity is associated with hypogonadism, (defined in males as low levels of endogenous testosterone) a reproductive disorder that substantially elevates metabolic risk. The mechanisms linking reproductive function to metabolism are not fully understood, but emerging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis. Recent data support a model in which microglia (brain macrophages) and astrocytes mediate the effects of a Western-type diet to induce obesity, and that hypogonadism synergizes with an obesogenic diet to profoundly activate hypothalamic gliosis. In this context, we propose a multidisciplinary approach to unveil the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis as a central node linking metabolic dysregulation and reproductive dysfunction. The studies described herein will use astrocyte- and microglia-specific mouse models of increased or reduced inflammatory signaling to determine whether gliosis is proximal to hypogonadism, hypogonadism causes gliosis, or they establish a vicious cycle together. These studies will potentially provide cellular targets for new therapies to offset the long-term metabolic harm from hypogonadism and to improve reproductive function in obese patients. Beyond its translational value, the project will provide a solid foundation for the scientific career of the fellow and help her achieve the long-term goal of becoming an independent scientist.
Fields of science
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiologyepidemics prevention
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetes
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseases
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global FellowshipsCoordinator
14005 Cordoba
Spain