The type of fat ingested may create the conditions for or, on the
     other hand, prevent the development of obesity. This is the conclusion
     drawn by Patricia P?rez Matute, PhD student at the Department of
     Physiology and Nutrition at the University of Navarre in her research
     which has received an international award from the medical journal,
     Clinical Science.
     The work was presented at the 6th Congress of the International
     Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL, 2004) held in
     Brighton (Great Britain). The research was undertaken at the
     Department of Physiology and Nutrition at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
     The study forms part of the project entitled: 'Regulation of the
     expression and secretion of leptin and of other genes related to
     obesity through nutrients: the molecular mechanisms involved'.
     Consumption of fish to allay obesity
     The study, explains the author, arose from the observation that the
     ingestion of saturated fats appeared to lead to the development of
     obesity, while the polyunsaturated fatty acids, from fish oils, would
     appear to prevent and correct both la obesity and insulinic
     resistance. "In this sense, for example, eskimos who ingest greater
     quantities of fish in their diet have lower rates of mortality from
     heart diseases frequently associated with obesity", she pointed out.
     This is why, the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - one of the
     omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids - on leptin, a gene involved in
     regulating body weight. "It was observed that EPA was capable of
     stimulating the secretion of leptin in primary cell cultures of fat
     from rats ", explained Ms P?rez.
     This stimulating effect, in her view, is of great interest, "given
     that any strategy favouring the increase of leptin levels may well be
     beneficial for maintaining body weight during treatment for obesity
     and, thus, also obtain an improvement in those pathologies associated
     with obesity such as diabetes, artherosclerosis, etc." Moreover, the
     research provides information on the mechanisms involved in the
     regulation of the leptin gene, specifically in the role of glucose
     metabolism. The awarded research is entitled, 'Increase in oxidation
     of glucose is involved in the stimulant effect of EPA on leptin
     secretion primary cultures of adipocites from the rat'.
     Contact: Garazi Andonegi
     garazi@elhuyar.com
     34-943-363-040
     Elhuyar Fundazioa
       _________________________________________________________________