White or/and brown: importance of adipose tissue in overall redox dependent metabolic control in physiological adaptations and metabolic disorders

Redox regulation is fundamental in the control of cellular processes and is tightly coupled with energy metabolism. This requires orchestrated action of intracellular organelles, tissues and organs: white and brown adipose tissue (WAT and BAT), liver muscle, pancreas, brain. Redox regulation and energy metabolism are involved in maintenance of homeostasis in both, physiological conditions characterized by increased energy demands: acclimation to low temperature, hibernation, and in a number of pathological conditions: diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome. Project is aimed to reveal brown and white adipocytes response on structural, metabolic and endocrine levels in aforesaid physiological and pathophysiological states using specific animal models and human studies. Research will be focused on essential cellular processes: adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, cell death, mitochondriogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation and thermogenesis. Integration of metabolic control between adipose tissues and non-adipose organs/tissues and their responses will be examined with a focus on adipocytokines and their autocrine/paracrine and hormonal action. As an outcome, an understanding of the redox regulation of these processes in pathophysiological conditions, accompanied with testing of specific pharmacological approaches anticipated by project goals, should contribute to the development of new strategies for the treatment of metabolic disorders.