D.I.A.B.E.T.E.S.

D.I.A.B.E.T.E.S (Dietary Interventions and Better Exercise through Experimental Science) Center 

D.I.A.B.E.T.E.S Center is dedicated towards understanding the interconnection between metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and diet. Although the main focus is on obesity and/or diabetes, we also collaborate heavily with Dr. Deanna Gibson and her lab who are interested in inflammatory bowel disease. Her knowledge on the gut microbiota and immunity complements our expertise and goals in finding a common cure for several chronic metabolic, inflammatory diseases. The primary goal of this center is not to find a cure but to prevent the rapid rise in chronic diseases. As believers of preventative research, we believe that if there is no disease, we will not need a cure.

Key words: cell biology, physiology, cell signalling, oxidative stress, antioxidants, exercise, PUFAs, apoptosis

 Project 1: Effect of n-6 PUFA on the heart and liver
Goal: Investigate the possible detrimental impact of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the heart and other metabolically active organs.

Are vegetable oils good for you? Among several key dietary changes in recent years, Canadians in general have increased the consumption of a class of fatty acids called omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly found in vegetable oils like corn and sunflower oils. Although commonly deemed beneficial, recent studies have shown that excess omega-6 PUFA may damage heart muscle, cause inflammation and cell death. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to such effects are not clear. The main project of the D.I.A.B.E.T.E.S Center is to understand what could be the main facors that lead to cardiovascular damage in diabetes and obesity under our current dietary conditions. This research will identify hidden mechanisms by which common dietary fats are increasing obesity or diabetes-related heart diseases in Canada.

Project 2: The effects of physical activity on the neuroimmune system
Goal: The goal of this projects was to investigate the effects of physical activity on the immune system of the brain. More specifically, we set to determine the role of physical activity on activation of brain immune cells and brain cytokine expression, in non-aged and non-diseased mice. We also focussed on the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in mediating these reactions.

How can antioxidants and exercise help? The long-term goal of this research program is to understand how antioxidants are regulated in mammalian cells. Dr. Ghosh’s previous research revealed that loss of antioxidants might be central to cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetes, which can be partially restored with exercise. Similar effects have been observed with antioxidant supplements. However, several crucial questions remain. We still do not know if such effects of exercise persist till old age. We also do not know how much exercise for how long is enough to increase antioxidant capacity of diseased and healthy individuals. Do these effects remain after the person has stopped exercise? If so, for how long? Can the effects of exercise e replicated by taking antioxidant supplements? We hope this research to identify molecular cardiovascular mechanisms that are initiated with exercise or antioxidant supplementation in an effort to prevent cardiovascular diseases in the diseased and the elderly population.

Project 3: Microbiome and n-6 PUFA (previously)