Metabolic diseases impact brain and gut morphology: studies in different animal models
The research activity is focused on neuronal, glial and neurotransmitter systems alterations in experimental models of cerebrovascular diseases induced by different nutritional conditions and/or diet-related diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Immunochemical, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques were applied for the characterization of organ damage in high-fat diet (HFD) obese rats, cafeteria-diet obese rats and leptin-receptor-deficient obese Zucker rats (OZRs) rats as a genetic model of metabolic syndrome. In brain areas neurodegeneration, astrogliosis, microglial activation, dysfunction of cholinergic transmission, and endothelial inflammation were evaluated. Suitable biomarkers of the intestinal function, including the enteroendocrine and neuroenteric system, gut permeability, inflammation, and glycosylation pathways in the intestinal epithelium were investigated. The effects of pharmacological and nutraceutical supplementations were evaluated to study their properties and role in beneficial effects for animal and human health.
Moreover, the studies were translated in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and colitis, to better understand the brain and intestinal alterations related to pathological conditions and possible protective effects of pre- and probiotic supplementation.
Keywords - ENGLISH
metabolic disease, obesity, neurodegeneration, gut permeability
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Ilenia Martinelli; Vincenzo Bellitto; Simonetta Cammertoni; Daniele Tomassoni.
External Collaborations
Section of Human Anatomy, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino; Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino
Pillar
Human Health
Macroareas in Human Health
Biology of health and disease
Email Address
daniele.tomassoni@unicam.it
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