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Approved research

The relationship between adiposity and low grade inflammation as mediators of metabolic dysfunction

Principal Investigator: Ms Tahani Al Ramah
Approved Research ID: 20152
Approval date: February 1st 2017

Lay summary

There is controversy on the mechanisms by which metabolic abnormality occurs. One hypothesis, is the defect in adipose tissue expandability leading to ectopic fat accumulation. However, its underlying mechanism has not yet been fully understood. In recent years, increasing evidence have shown that chronic low-grade inflammation is a critical biomarker of metabolic complication and can be a link between adipose tissue dysfunction and these complications. We will investigate in a cross-sectional study the relation between fat accumulation measured by BMI, waist, and MRI and CRP levels, as a marker of systematic inflammation. Our research aims to improve health care by investigating the relation between inflammation and adiposity to provide a better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the metabolic complications associated with obesity. We will conduct a cross-sectional study to look at body fat deposition, both amount and location, and their relation to baseline T2DM and other chronic diseases. We will investigate the different patterns of obesity and tell which form is more linked to inflammation, and whether this is mediated by chronic diseases at baseline. 

Current scope:

There is controversy on the mechanisms by which metabolic abnormality occurs. One hypothesis, is the defect in adipose tissue expandability leading to ectopic fat accumulation. However, its underlying mechanism has not yet been fully understood. In recent years, increasing evidence have shown that chronic low-grade inflammation is a critical biomarker of metabolic complication and can be a link between adipose tissue dysfunction and these complications. We will investigate in a cross-sectional study the relation between fat accumulation measured by BMI, waist, and MRI and CRP levels, as a marker of systematic inflammation.

Updated scope:

There is controversy on the mechanisms by which metabolic abnormalities occur. One hypothesis, is the defect in adipose tissue expandability leading to ectopic fat accumulation. However, the underlying mechanisms of weight gain and weight loss have not yet been fully understood. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that chronic low-grade inflammation is a critical biomarker of metabolic complication and can be a link between adipose tissue dysfunction and these complications. We will investigate the relationship/association between fat measured by BMI, waist, and MRI and CRP levels as a marker of systematic inflammation, as well as other risk factors. This work will be conducted in a cross-sectional study, using baseline data. It will also be conducted in a propsective study using repeated measures data to study changes in adiposity over time.