Dr. A. Vieira
Director of the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Laboratory, BPK Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Title: Nutritional and epigenetic aspects of metabolic syndrome, and the search for metabolic pharmacotherapeutics
Biography
Biography: Dr. A. Vieira
Abstract
Nutritional and epigenetic aspects of metabolic syndrome, and the search for metabolic pharmacotherapeutics
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome represents a combination of disorders that often include atherogenic dyslipidemias, problems with glucose regulation, obesity and chronic inflammation. Epigenetic regulation refers to chemical, covalent modifications of chromatin that can occur in response to environmental factors including diet (vitamins, nutrients and other food components), physical activity, and exposure to toxins. This presentation will cover the nutritional epigenetics of chronic metabolic disorders, e.g., epigenetic changes associated with obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, as well as dyslipidemias. The influence of vitamins and other nutrients, as well as that of phytochemicals from plant foods, upon metabolic regulation and energy metabolism will be emphasized. Molecular and cellular assays to identify potentially therapeutic compounds related to these metabolic disorders will also be described, with an emphasis on combination therapies that may contribute to epigenetic reprogramming.