Maria Carolina Borges, University of Pelotas, Brazil

Title: Adiponectin: is there a causal role in coronary heart disease?

Venue: Room OS6, The Seminar Room, Second Floor, Oakfield House

Biography

I graduated in Nutrition and finished my MSc in Public Health Nutrition in 2011 in the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. I am doing my PhD in Epidemiology in a collaboration between the University of Pelotas, Brazil, and the University College London (UCL).

Abstract

Adiponectin, a 30 kDa protein produced mainly by mature adipocytes, has been implicated in a wide spectrum of molecular pathways related to peripheral insulin sensitivity, inflammatory response and atherogenesis. In contrast to most adipokines, adiponectin secretion is downregulated in obese individuals. Lower adiponectin levels is positively associated with several coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. However, it is unknown whether adiponectin is causally implicated in CHD etiology. In my talk, I will present part of my PhD work addressing whether genetically increased adiponectin is associated with reduced risk of CHD, by using Mendelian randomization, and investigating some potential mediating mechanisms.