Effect of Acute Bout of Exercise on Levels of PAHSA

Exercise represents an important tool in the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders associated with obesity and aging, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Besides skeletal muscle and its myokinins, the metabolic effects of exercise also rely on the induction of favorable changes in adipose tissue function. For example, adipose tissue is a source of lipokinins from the family of palmitic acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (PAHSA), which have anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. We have recently shown that 4 months of exercise training increases PAHSA levels in adipose tissue and circulation. However, the mechanisms involved in the induction of PAHSA levels in response to exercise are unknown. The aim of the Effect of Acute Bout of Exercise on Levels of PAHSA (ETAPA) project is therefore to investigate the regulation of PAHSA metabolism in response to both acute and chronic exercise. To achieve this goal, we will employ state-of-the-art analytical methods to measure PAHSA levels in both adipose tissue and circulation of subjects of various ages and adiposity status. The main output of the ETAPA project will be the proof of principle regarding the important role of PAHSA lipokinins in exercise-induced enhancement of insulin sensitivity and the identification of potential drug targets that could be used to further improve PAHSA metabolism for the treatment of metabolic disorders associated with aging or obesity.