Metabolism and vascular function

Acronym: MET-VASC

Registry number: G20/5-07

School/Centre: PHARMACY

UNESCO Code: 230217, 230221, 230222, 320990

Keywords:

Obesity, Metabolic Alterations, Vascular Function, Adipose Tissue

Relevant characteristics of the research group (description of the group's activity):

Obesity is a critical risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, the first cause of death worldwide. Our multidisciplinary research team is composed of clinical and basic researchers from different areas, specialised in the study of the physiopathology, vascular consequences and the search for new treatments against obesity. Our current research lines can be summarised as follows:

1. Search for differential biomarkers between morbidly obese patients with different metabolic profiles:
   Our aim is to find markers that allow us to know what protects a percentage of morbidly obese patients who do not develop associated diseases, as this would allow us to individualise and prioritise therapeutic actions.
2. Study of intertissue communication between perivascular adipose tissue and the artery as the origin of vascular dysfunction associated with obesity.
   The loss of function and change in the secretome of the adipose tissue surrounding the blood vessels precedes and favours the appearance of endothelial dysfunction.
3. Transplantation of brown adipose tissue as an anti-obesity tool after in vitro activation.
   The thermogenic capacity of obese adult individuals is practically non-existent, so we propose the transplantation of activated brown adipocytes in vitro as an anti-obesity therapy.
4. Activation of the protective branch of the renin-angiotensin system to prevent the loss of vascular function associated with obesity.
   The aim is to counteract the negative effects of the activation of the renin-angiotensin system in obesity through the use of specific AT2 receptor agonists.

Video:

Contact: [email protected]