Grant: Engage Grants Program
Université de Moncton
$25,000.00
Elucidation of the action mechanism of TBP on the endocrine function of male mice under high fat diet
FY 2016-17
Summary
The company RPS Biologiques has developed a natural product from seeds of a fruit being used as a naturalremedy in India for thousands of years. According to preliminary data, this product, named TBP, may havebeneficial effects on endocrine and metabolic functions in humans. However, the regulatory mechanismsinvolved remain to be elucidated. In males, testosterone is produced by Leydig cells from the testis. With agingand obesity, testicular function declines, leading to decreased testosterone synthesis. This decrease is associatedwith reduced energy and muscle strength, depressed mood and increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. Thus,the use of TBP may help overcome these symptoms associated with low testosterone production. The aim ofthe current project is to determine how TBP improves testosterone production in male mice under a high fatdiet leading to hypoandrogenic condition. It is expected that 10 weeks of treatment with TBP will contribute tomaintain normal glucose and insulin levels, improve testosterone and lower cortisol productions, preventnegative impact of high-fat-diet on testicular function and improve muscle strength. To better define theregulatory mechanisms involved, changes in insulin, LH, FSH, ACTH, testosterone and cortisol plasma levels,as well as testicular histomorphometric analyses and changes in steroidogenic genes expressions (Star,Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Aromatase) will be undertaken. Indeed, these measurements will help distinguish betweencentral (LH, FSH and ACTH) and peripheral (cortisol and testosterone) regulation of steroidogenesis by TBP.In addition, increased testosterone production by may result from increased import of cholesterol insidemitochondria by StAR, increased conversion of cholesterol to testosterone by steroidogenic enzymes (Cyp11a1and Hsd3b1) and/or decreased conversion of androgen to estrogen by aromatase within Leydig cells of thetestis. Thus, this research will allow to better define how TBP restores androgen production in hypoandrogenicmale mice.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Recipient
Location
New Brunswick, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
501819-2016
Name nom
Martin, Luc
Department département
Biologie
Organization id
73
Institution établissement
Université de Moncton
Province en
New Brunswick
Province fr
Nouveau-Brunswick
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program name en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1551
Committee name en
Atlantic Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour l'Atlantique
Area of application code
1211
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Medical and health sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences médicales et de la santé
Research subject code
5504
Research subject group en
Animal biology
Research subject group fr
Biologie animale
Research subject en
Animal physiology and metabolism
Research subject fr
Physiologie et métabolisme des animaux
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Elucidation of the action mechanism of TBP on the endocrine function of male mice under high fat diet
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The company RPS Biologiques has developed a natural product from seeds of a fruit being used as a naturalremedy in India for thousands of years. According to preliminary data, this product, named TBP, may havebeneficial effects on endocrine and metabolic functions in humans. However, the regulatory mechanismsinvolved remain to be elucidated. In males, testosterone is produced by Leydig cells from the testis. With agingand obesity, testicular function declines, leading to decreased testosterone synthesis. This decrease is associatedwith reduced energy and muscle strength, depressed mood and increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. Thus,the use of TBP may help overcome these symptoms associated with low testosterone production. The aim ofthe current project is to determine how TBP improves testosterone production in male mice under a high fatdiet leading to hypoandrogenic condition. It is expected that 10 weeks of treatment with TBP will contribute tomaintain normal glucose and insulin levels, improve testosterone and lower cortisol productions, preventnegative impact of high-fat-diet on testicular function and improve muscle strength. To better define theregulatory mechanisms involved, changes in insulin, LH, FSH, ACTH, testosterone and cortisol plasma levels,as well as testicular histomorphometric analyses and changes in steroidogenic genes expressions (Star,Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Aromatase) will be undertaken. Indeed, these measurements will help distinguish betweencentral (LH, FSH and ACTH) and peripheral (cortisol and testosterone) regulation of steroidogenesis by TBP.In addition, increased testosterone production by may result from increased import of cholesterol insidemitochondria by StAR, increased conversion of cholesterol to testosterone by steroidogenic enzymes (Cyp11a1and Hsd3b1) and/or decreased conversion of androgen to estrogen by aromatase within Leydig cells of thetestis. Thus, this research will allow to better define how TBP restores androgen production in hypoandrogenicmale mice.
