Excess dietary carbohydrate affects mitochondrial integrity as observed in brown adipose tissue
Waldhart AN, Muhire B, Johnson B, Pettinga D, Madaj ZB, Wolfrum E, Dykstra H, Wegert V, Pospisilik JA, Han X, Wu N. (2021) Cell Rep 36(5) 109488. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109488.
Web URL: Read this and related research articles via PubMed here
Abstract:
Hyperglycemia affects over 400 million individuals worldwide. The detrimental health effects are well studied at the tissue level, but the in vivo effects at the organelle level are poorly understood.
To establish such an in vivo model, we used mice lacking TXNIP, a negative regulator of glucose uptake.
Examining mitochondrial function in brown adipose tissue, we find that TXNIP KO mice have a lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in their membrane lipids, which affects mitochondrial integrity and electron transport chain efficiency and ultimately results in lower mitochondrial heat output.
This phenotype can be rescued by a ketogenic diet, confirming the usefulness of this model and highlighting one facet of early cellular damage caused by excess glucose influx.
Keywords: BAT; PUFA; TXNIP; cold stress; glucose; ketogenic diet; lipid; mitochondria.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
They also identify a new mechanism by which this happens - namely, by altering the fatty acid composition of mitochondrial membranes.
A low-carb and high-fat (ketogenic) diet reversed the energy production problems in the animals studied here. Importantly, however, these mice were specially selected for difficulties in regulating glucose uptake (in order to study this in depth).
Results from animal studies can never be taken as generalising automatically to humans - but they can allow investigation of basic shared mechanisms that cannot be studied directly in humans.
As the researchers highlighted, these results help to explain the well-known links between high-sugar diets and many different metabolic diseases, and may also point the way towards new and better management approaches.
And for more information on how sugar affects mental as wel as physical health, see:
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2025 © All Rights Reserved.