Diabetes Mellitus is a group of complex and heterogeneous metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia. Even though the condition has been extensively studied, its causes and complex pathologies are still not fully understood. The occurring damage to the pancreatic islets is strikingly heterogeneous. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin producing beta cells are all destroyed within some islets, and similarly in type 2 diabetes, some islets may be severely affected by amyloid. At the same time other islets, in the near vicinity of the ones that are affected by disease, may appear fully normal in both diseases. Little is known about this heterogeneity in susceptibility to disease between pancreatic islets. This thesis examines the physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of islet subpopulations. Two subpopulations of islets were studied; one constituting highly vascularized islets with superior beta cell functionality, and one of low-oxygenated islets with low metabolic activity. The highly functional islets were found to be more susceptible to cellular stress both in vitro and in vivo, and developed more islet amyloid when metabolically challenged. Highly functional islets preferentially had a direct venous drainage, facilitating the distribution of islet hormones to the peripheral tissues. Further, these islets had an increased capacity for insulin secretion at low glucose levels, a response that was observed abolished in patients with recent onset type 1 diabetes.  The second investigated islet subpopulation, low-oxygenated islets, was found to be an over time stable subpopulation of islets with low vascular density and beta cell proliferation. In summary, two subpopulations of islets can be identified in the pancreas based on dissimilarities in vascular support and blood flow. These subpopulations appear to have different physiological functions of importance for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. However, they also seem to differ in vulnerability, and a preferential death of the highly functional islets may accelerate the progression of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Bien que les résultats métaboliques de la transplantation d’îlots chez le patient diabétique de type 1 soient désormais bien démontrés, ils sont contrebalancés par les effets indésirables des traitements immunosuppresseurs et la perte de fonctionnalité du greffon à long terme.Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié deux approches complémentaires offrant la perspective de s’affranchir du traitement immunosuppresseur tout en protégeant les îlots de l’apoptose et de la perte de fonctionnalité du greffon induites par les mécanismes d’isolement, de culture et de transplantation : l’immunoisolation des îlots dans des capsules de biomatériaux et la co-transplantation avec des cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM).Au sein du projet européen de pancréas artificiel BIOCAPAN, nous avons évalué in vitro, la biocompatibilité de différents biomatériaux et mis en évidence un effet combiné de la présence de CSM et des tripeptides RGD sur le maintien de la viabilité et de la fonctionnalité des îlots encapsulés. L’évaluation ultérieure de la biocompatibilité et de l’effet ajouté de la capsule BIOCAPAN sur des animaux diabétiques permettra la validation de la capsule qui sera proposée à des tests d’essais cliniques.Nous avons également démontré, dans un modèle de co-culture d’îlots avec des CSM dans des conditions de culture classiques et exposées à des cytokines pro-inflammatoires, que les CSM régulaient les capacités sécrétrices des îlots probablement via la régulation de l’hème oxygénase 1 (HO-1). L’identification des facteurs de transcription régulant HO-1 ainsi que des médiateurs permettant la communication entre les deux types cellulaires sont des perspectives de développement.Ce travail a souligné l’intérêt, au sein d’une approche immuno-isolante, de la reconstitution d’un environnement favorable au sein de la capsule permettant la préservation de l’îlot notamment via l’utilisation de CSM. / Although, the metabolic results of islets transplantation for patient with type 1 diabetes are now well documented, they are counteracted by the adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapies and the long-term loss in graft functionality.During this thesis, we worked on two complementary approaches offering the perspective of avoiding immunosuppressive treatment while protecting islets from apoptosis and loss of functionality induced by the mechanisms of isolation, culture and transplantation. These two tools are islet immunoisolation in capsules composed of specific biomaterials and islets co-transplantation with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) described for their immunomodulatory, proangiogenic and cytoprotective properties.In the european project of bioartificial pancreas BIOCAPAN, we have evaluated in vitro the biocompatibility of several biomaterials and we have highlight a combined effect of the presence of MSCs and tripeptides RGD on the viability and the functionality maintenance of the encapsulated islets. Subsequent in vivo validation of the biocompatibility and the added effect of the BIOCAPAN capsule on diabetic animals will allow the final validation of the capsule to be proposed for clinical trials.We also demonstrated, in an islet co-culture model with MSCs under conventional culture conditions and exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines, that MSCs regulate the secretory capacity of islets probably via the regulation of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) described for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The identification of transcription factors regulating HO-1 as well as mediators, allowing communication between the two cell types, are development perspectives.This work underlined the interest, within an immuno-isolation approach, of the reconstitution of a favorable environment within the capsule allowing the preservation of islet physiology thanks to the use of MSCs.

Migrating to Mars is the next exploration of human space missions and adapting to the extreme environment for a long period of time needs to be studied in-prior. Studies on cells in space may promote advancements in our understanding of the human body. The aim of this study is to optimize the protocol for the preparation of EndoCβH1 cells alone in the space chamber and co-culturing EndoCβH1 cells and BCs for microgravity experiments. We analyzed the cell survival and biocompatibility of β- cells with different parameters and the best concentration was used for the co-culture test. A 1:1 ratio of β-cells and BCs were cultured in the space chamber for viability and survival test. Co-culture experiment showed a significant increase in β-cell viability in the space chamber relative to in vitro tests. The effects of mitochondrial health of the cell inside the chamber was evaluated using the mitochondrial membrane test using the fluorescent probe 5,5,6,6’- tetrachloro-1,1’,3,3’ tetraethylbenzimi-dazoylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). We determined that the β-cell fitness inside the chamber was two times higher than the 24-well plate. To assess the viability of β-cells in a bioprinted gelatin scaffold we used the Live-dead fluorescence microscopy assay. Scaffolds were stained with Calcein AM (CAM) and propidium iodide (PI) and checked for survival. The result of scaffold staining showed that β- cells in gelatin and BCs in the media had more living cells compared to β-cells without BCs. Thus, space flight (SF) exposure to this culture system can be a platform for further studies in the treatment of diabetes.

ABSTRACTThe prevalence of diabetes is increasing dramatically, incurring a major health and socioeconomic burden. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), the most prevalent form of diabetes, results from a variable combination of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, secondary to pancreatic β-cell failure. These defects are caused by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental/ lifestyle factors. Among the latter, poor dietary quality is a crucial driver of T2D development. Although adopting healthy dietary habits is considered as a mainstay for T2D prevention, what constitutes a healthy diet remains controversial. Epidemiological studies examining the association of dietary fat quality with T2D incidence have yielded equivocal results and may suffer from confounding. On the other hand, randomized trials assessing the impact of dietary fat saturation on glucose homeostasis have major methodological shortcomings, precluding reliable conclusions. In order to elucidate this question, we compared the effects of palm oil vs olive oil on glucose homeostasis and other relevant metabolic parameters, in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. The saturated fatty acid-rich palm oil is the most abundantly used oil worldwide. Olive oil is a staple food of the Mediterranean diet, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and widely regarded as healthful. In this model, palm oil was not more harmful than olive oil with regard to glucose/insulin homeostasis. However, palm oil was associated with increased visceral adiposity and triglyceridemia compared to olive oil. Circulating and tissue free fatty acid (FFA) concentration and composition are determined by dietary factors, as well as genetic and metabolic factors. There is accumulating evidence indicating that increased FFA levels and/or an unbalanced FFA composition with excess palmitate, induce β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis (lipotoxicity). To characterize the mechanisms underlying lipotoxicity, we combined RNA-sequencing with proteomics of β-cells exposed to palmitate, the most prevalent SFA in humans. This cross-omics study showed that palmitate altered lipid and amino-acid metabolism, and affected amplifying pathways of insulin secretion and exocytosis. Furthermore, palmitate induced stress pathways, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress is triggered when protein folding demand exceeds ER folding capacity. This response aims to restore ER homeostasis but if unresolved, it can become deleterious. Islets from T2D patients display signs of ER stress, pointing to a potentially pathogenic role of the latter.Monogenic and neonatal diabetes are rare forms of diabetes caused by single gene mutations. These forms are of particular interest, as they can serve as ‘human knockout’ models of diabetes. Recent evidence shows that there is overlap in the genetic basis of monogenic diabetes and T2D, suggesting that they may be part of a pathologic continuum. To explore the role of ER stress in diabetes pathogenesis, we studied two different genetic syndromes involving neonatal or early-onset diabetes, caused by mutations in genes related to ER function (DNAJC3 and YIPF5). Using in vitro knockdown models, we showed that ER stress elicited by impaired chaperone function (DNAJC3) or by impaired ER-to-Golgi protein transport (YIFP5) causes β-cell apoptosis. Altogether, our findings support that lipotoxic and genetic ER stress contribute to diabetes pathogenesis. Preventing or modulating ER stress thus holds anti-diabetic therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on defining optimal strategies to restore a balanced FFA profile and enhance ER function, aiming to prevent ER-stress induced β-cell failure. RésuméLa prévalence du diabète progresse constamment, posant un défi sanitaire et socioéconomique majeur. Le diabète de type 2 (DT2), la forme la plus courante de diabète, résulte de la résistance à l’insuline, en association avec un déficit insulinique dû à la défaillance des cellules β pancréatiques. Ces anomalies découlent d’une interaction complexe entre des facteurs génétiques et des facteurs liés au mode de vie. Parmi ces derniers, la qualité du régime alimentaire est un facteur crucial pour le développement du DT2. Bien que le suivi d’un régime alimentaire sain est considéré comme le pilier pour la prévention du DT2, ce qui constitue un régime sain demeure un sujet de controverse.Les études épidémiologiques examinant l’association entre la qualité de la graisse alimentaire et l’incidence du DT2 ont donné des résultats équivoques, affectés éventuellement par des facteurs confondants. En outre, les études randomisées évaluant l’impact du degré de saturation de la graisse alimentaire sur l’homéostasie du glucose comportent des limitations méthodologiques majeures. Afin d’élucider cette question, on a comparé les effets de l’huile de palme aux effets de l’huile d’olive sur l’homéostasie du glucose et d’autres paramètres métaboliques pertinents. Dans ce but, on a utilisé un modèle murin d’obésité induite par un régime riche en graisse. L’huile de palme est riche en acides gras saturés et elle est l’huile la plus utilisée globalement. L’huile d’olive est un aliment phare du régime Méditerranéen, riche en acides gras monoinsaturés et généralement reconnu comme un aliment sain. Dans notre modèle murin, la consommation d’huile de palme n’était pas plus néfaste que celle de l’huile d’olive sur l’homéostasie du glucose, la sensibilité à l’insuline et l’insulinosécrétion. Par contre, l’huile de palme était associée à une adiposité viscérale et une triglycéridémie plus élevée comparée à l’huile d’olive.La concentration et la composition des acides gras libres (AGL) sont déterminées par des facteurs alimentaires, génétiques et métaboliques. Des données abondantes démontrent que la présence des niveaux élevés d’AGL et/ou d’une composition déséquilibrée d’AGL induit la dysfonction et l’apoptose des cellules β (lipotoxicité). Pour caractériser les mécanismes sous-jacents de la lipotoxicité, on a combiné un séquençage ARN à une étude protéomique des cellules β exposées au palmitate, l’AGL saturé le plus courant chez l’homme. Cette étude conjointe a montré que le palmitate altère le métabolisme des lipides et des acides aminés, les voies d’amplification de la sécrétion d’insuline et l’exocytose. Le palmitate induit également des voies de stress cellulaires, telles que la dysfonction mitochondriale, le stress oxydatif et le stress du réticulum endoplasmique (RE). Le stress du RE est activé quand les besoins en sécrétion protéique dépassent les capacités de l’organite. Cette réponse a pour but de rétablir l’homéostasie du RE mais si le stress reste non résolu, ceci peut s’avérer délétère. Des îlots des patients avec un DT2 montrent des signes de stress du RE, évoquant un rôle potentiellement pathogénique de ce dernier.Le diabète monogénique et néonatal sont des formes rares de diabète causées par des mutations d’un seul gène. Ces formes sont particulièrement intéressantes sur le plan physiopathologique car elles représentent des ‘knockout’ humains. Des données récentes montrent que la base génétique du diabète monogénique n’est pas complètement distincte de celle du diabète de type 2 et les deux entités pourraient faire partie d’un continuum. Afin d’explorer le rôle du stress du RE dans la pathogénèse du diabète, on a étudié deux syndromes génétiques entraînant un diabète néonatal ou à début très précoce. Ces syndromes sont causés par des mutations dans des gènes impliqués dans la fonction du RE (DNAJC3 et YIPF5). En silençant ces gènes in vitro, on a montré que le stress du RE, déclenché soit par une dysfonction des chaperones (DNAJC3), soit par un retard du trafic de protéines du RE vers le Golgi (YIPF5), induit l’apoptose des cellules β.Ces résultats suggèrent que le stress du RE génétique et lipotoxique contribuent à la pathogénèse du diabète. La prévention ou modulation du stress du RE présente donc un potentiel thérapeutique anti-diabétique. Des études futures pourraient permettre de définir des stratégies optimales pour rétablir un profil d’AGL équilibré ou renforcer la fonction du RE, en vue de prévenir la défaillance des cellules β. / Doctorat en Sciences médicales (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Most research on human pancreatic islets is conducted on samples obtained from normoglycaemic or diseased brain-dead donors and thus cannot accurately describe the molecular changes of pancreatic islet beta cells as they progress towards a state of deficient insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we conduct a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of pancreatic islets obtained from metabolically profiled pancreatectomized living human donors stratified along the glycemic continuum, from normoglycemia to T2D. We find that islet pools isolated from surgical samples by laser-capture microdissection display remarkably more heterogeneous transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetic controls. The differential regulation of islet gene expression is already observed in prediabetic individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. Our findings demonstrate a progressive, but disharmonic, remodelling of mature beta cells, challenging current hypotheses of linear trajectories toward precursor or transdifferentiation stages in T2D. Furthermore, through integration of islet transcriptomics with preoperative blood plasma lipidomics, we define the relative importance of gene coexpression modules and lipids that are positively or negatively associated with HbA1c levels, pointing to potential prognostic markers.

Detailed characterization of human pancreatic islets is key to elucidating the pathophysiology of all forms of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. However, access to human pancreatic islets is limited. Pancreatic tissue for islet retrieval can be obtained from brain-dead organ donors or from individuals undergoing pancreatectomy, often referred to as ‘living donors’. Different protocols for human islet procurement can substantially impact islet function. This variability, coupled with heterogeneity between individuals and islets, results in analytical challenges to separate genuine disease pathology or differences between human donors from experimental noise. There are currently no international guidelines for human donor phenotyping, islet procurement and functional characterization. This lack of standardization means that substantial investments from multiple international efforts towards improved understanding of diabetes pathology cannot be fully leveraged. In this Perspective, we overview the status of the field of human islet research, highlight the challenges and propose actions that could accelerate research progress and increase understanding of type 2 diabetes to slow its pandemic spreading.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1 resulta da produção insuficiente ou da ausência de insulina, decorrente da destruição de células β, por mecanismo auto-imune. O tratamento deste tipo de diabetes consiste na administração subcutânea de insulina exógena. Recentemente, foi demonstrado que o transplante de ilhotas pancreáticas é capaz de tornar o portador de diabetes tipo 1 independente de insulina exógena. Apesar do sucesso alcançado, a necessidade permanente de imunossupressão é uma das principais barreiras para que o transplante de ilhotas possa ser realizado em número maior de pacientes. Assim, o desenvolvimento de novas metodologias que evitem a rejeição do enxerto, como o macro e o microencapsulamento de ilhotas, continua sendo crucial para o estabelecimento definitivo do transplante de ilhotas como opção terapêutica no tratamento de diabetes tipo 1. Neste trabalho, foi padronizado um modelo animal para avaliar, in vivo, a funcionalidade das ilhotas pancreáticas humanas isoladas e purificadas na Unidade de Ilhotas Pancreáticas Humanas do IQUSP. Ratos NIH nude foram tornados diabéticos através de injeção de estreptozotocina para o implante de ilhotas pancreáticas humanas nuas e microencapsuladas. As ilhotas foram microencapsuladas em Biodritina, um novo heteropolissacarídeo patenteado e cedido ao nosso laboratório, tendo sido possível padronizar a produção de microcápsulas uniformes e homogêneas, com tamanho médio entre 400µm e 600 µm. A reversão do diabetes ocorreu em 24% dos ratos nude transplantados com ilhotas pancreáticas humanas nuas. Por outro lado, não observamos reversão do diabetes quando ilhotas encapsuladas foram implantadas, apesar do teste de atividade funcional realizado in vitro ter demonstrado que elas continuam a secretar insulina e a responder ao estímulo com glicose após o encapsulamento. Para elucidar este efeito, cápsulas vazias foram implantadas em ratos nude e em ratos imunocompetentes, os quais desenvolveram processo inflamatório acompanhado de processo fibrótico no local do implante. Estudo imuno-histoquímico está sendo realizado para esclarecer a natureza e a intensidade destes processos. / Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from insufficient or absence of insulin production, as a consequence of destruction of pancreatic β cells, by an auto-imune mechanism. Treatment for this type of diabetes consists of subcutaneous administration of exogenous insulin. Recently, it has been demonstrated that pancreatic islet cell transplantation is capable of rendering type I diabetic patients independent of exogenous insulin. However, in spite of the success achieved, permanent immunosuppression is still required, being the main barrier to expand this treatment to a large number of patients. Therefore, development of new technologies, such as islet macro and microencapsulation to avoid rejection of the tissue implanted, is still crucial for definitive establishment of islet transplantation as a therapeutic alternative for type I diabetes. In the present work, an animal model was established for in vivo evaluation of the functional ability of human pancreatic islets, which were isolated and purified at the Human Pancreatic Islet Unit of the University of São Paulo Chemistry Institute. Diabetes was induced in NIH nude rats through streptozotocin injection followed by implantation of naked or microencapsulated human pancreatic islets. Biodritin, a new and patented heteropolyssaccaride was used to microencapsulate the islets. The production of uniform and homogeneous microcapsules with diameters in the range of 400µm e 600 µm was successfully established. Reversion of diabetes occurred in 24% of the nude rats transplanted with human pancreatic islets. On the other hand, no reversion of diabetes was observed when encapsulated islets were implanted, although their functional activity in vitro indicated that they secreted insulin and responded to glucose stimulation upon encapsulation. In order to elucidate this effect, empty capsules were implanted in nude rat and in immunocompetent rats, both of which developed an inflammatory process accompanied by a fibrotic process in the site of the implant. Immunohistochemical studies are underway to address the nature and the intensity of these inflammatory processes.

O Diabetes mellitus (DM) do tipo 1 é uma doença causada pela destruição, por mecanismo auto-imune, das células beta das ilhotas pancreáticas, produtoras de insulina. O tratamento convencional da doença é realizado por meio de injeções diárias de insulina exógena. O transplante de ilhotas pancreáticas inclui-se, atualmente, como uma das alternativas terapêuticas à insulinoterapia. Entretanto, para atingir a insulino-independência, é necessário transplantar um grande número de ilhotas por paciente. O conhecimento do mecanismo de proliferação das células beta pode possibilitar a realização do transplante a partir da expansão celular ex vivo. A glicose é um dos principais indutores da proliferação de células beta. Neste trabalho, foi estabelecida e executada a tecnologia de isolamento e purificação de ilhotas pancreáticas humanas, visando sua estimulação com glicose. Para identificar genes regulados por glicose nestas ilhotas, foi utilizada a técnica de hibridização subtrativa SSH, associada ao rastreamento da biblioteca através de macroarranjos de DNA. Num primeiro rastreamento, foram identificados dois fragmentos gênicos induzidos pela glicose. Um destes apresentou homologia com uma proteína hipotética humana de função desconhecida e o segundo com o receptor de polipetídeo pancreático. Este trabalho permitiu a identificação de novos genes regulados pela glicose em ilhotas pancreáticas humanas, os quais podem estar relacionados à proliferação celular deste tecido. / Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic islet b-cells. Treatment is generally approached by daily subcutaneous injections of exogenous insulin. Nowadays, pancreatic islet transplantation is considered as an effective alternative treatment to insulin therapy. However, in order to reach insulin-independence, a large number of islets is required for each patient. Knowledge of the mechanisms regulating islet b-cell proliferation may allow ex-vivo b-cell expansion prior to transplant. Glucose is considered one of the main inducers of islet b-cells proliferation. We established and executed the technology of human islet isolation and purification. The islets were then stimulated in culture with glucose. In order to identify glucose-regulated genes in cultured human islets, we utilized the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method, followed by cDNA library screening by DNA macroarrays. Preliminary screening allowed us to isolate two cDNAs displaying glucose regulation, one of which is similar to a human hypothetical protein of unknown function and the other shows similarity to the pancreatic polypeptide receptor. This work allowed identification of glucose-regulated genes in human pancreatic islets, which may be related to cell proliferation in this tissue.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:59:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Vinicius Svidnicki.pdf: 2816065 bytes, checksum: 084b306674252355ae49539418bbb41e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-27 / Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the presence of some risk factors that occur simultaneously in obese subjects, such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension. GLP-1 is an important incretin that stimulates insulin secretion. Adipose tissue is considered an active complex and endocrine tissue, which secretes factors, termed adipokines, which by means of a dynamic signaling pathways involved in important biological energy balance, nutrient metabolism and immune system. Studies indicate that regular physical activity is related to the prevention and treatment of obesity. This study evaluated the effects of exercise training on the expression of adipokines collected following visceral adipose tissue: adiponectin, TNF alpha, PPAR gamma and PPAR alpha. In addition, we evaluated the expression of GLP-1 in the distal ileum and the insulinotropic action of this incretin in the pancreatic islets. The animal model used in this study were obese mice treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG) during the neonatal period, causing the animals to develop obesity in adulthood. The animals were divided into four groups: sedentary MSG, MSG exercised, sedentary controls, and controls exercised. Animals of exercise groups were submitted to swimming. At 90 days, the animals were sacrificed, biometric and biochemical parameters were analyzed pancreatic islets were isolated and sections of mesenteric fat and distal ileum assays were stored for qRT-PCR (Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) and immunohistochemistry. Our data show that regular physical activity and early improves obesity-related pathologies presented by MSG-obese mice. Exercised animals showed a decrease in adipocyte hypertrophy, leading to a change in the expression of adiponectin and PPAR alpha, which may have contributed to an improvement in energy homeostasis in these animals, however it has been shown that exercise does not correct completely the inflammatory profile in this obesity model. For the first time, demonstrated that exercise showed no direct action on the potentiation of insulin by GLP-1 stimulated by pre-prandial glucose, and no increase in the expression of incretin in exercised animals. Physical training reduced these parameters in animals only in mice CON-EXE. Regardless of the condition (fasting or glucose) and activity (exercised or sedentary) MSG treatment had no effect on expression of GLP-1 in the ileum. The swimming induced a reduction in the accumulation of adipose tissue and preserved glucose homeostasis in obese MSG rats, most likely by directly modulating the insulinotropic action of GLP-1 or its response in the pancreatic islets. Physical training inhibited the action of GLP-1 in the presence of low concentrations of glucose. However, physical training was able to restore the insulinotropic action of GLP-1 in the presence of high glucose concentration in MSG obese mice. / A síndrome metabólica é caracterizada pela presença de alguns fatores de risco que ocorrem simultaneamente em indivíduos obesos, tais como Diabetes mellitus tipo 2, dislipidemias e hipertensão arterial. O GLP-1 é uma importante incretina que que pode melhorar o rendimento das células beta pancreáticas. O tecido adiposo é considerado um tecido endócrino complexo e ativo, o qual secreta fatores, denominados adipocinas, que por meio de um sistema dinâmico de sinalização participam de vias biológicas importantes no balanço energético, metabolismo de nutrientes e sistema imune. Estudos indicam que a prática regular de atividade física tem relação com a prevenção e tratamento da obesidade. Assim, este trabalho avaliou os efeitos do treinamento físico na expressão das seguintes adipocinas coletadas de tecido adiposo visceral: adiponectina, TNF alfa, PPAR gama e PPAR alfa. Além disso, foi avaliada a expressão de GLP-1 de íleo distal, bem como a ação insulinotrópica desta incretina nas ilhotas pancreáticas. O modelo animal de obesidade utilizado neste trabalho foram ratos tratados com glutamato monossódico (MSG) durante o período neonatal, levando os animais a desenvolver obesidade na vida adulta. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: MSG sedentários, MSG exercitados, controles sedentários e, controles exercitados. Animais dos grupos exercitados foram submetidos à natação. Aos 90 dias, os animais foram sacrificados, parâmetros bioquímicos e biométricos foram analisados, as ilhotas pancreáticas foram isoladas e secções da gordura mesentérica e do íleo distal foram armazenadas para ensaios de qRT-PCR (Quantitative Real-Time polímerase Chain reaction) e imunohistoquímica. Nossos dados mostram que a prática regular e precoce de atividade física melhora os quadros patológicos relacionados à obesidade apresentada pelos ratos MSG obesos. Os animais exercitados apresentaram uma diminuição da hipertrofia dos adipócitos, levando a uma alteração da expressão de adiponectina e do PPAR alfa, o que pode ter contribuído para uma melhora da homeostase energética nestes animais, entretanto foi demonstrado que o exercício não corrige completamente o perfil inflamatório neste modelo de obesidade. Pela primeira vez, foi demonstrado que o exercício não apresentou ação direta na potencialização da insulina pelo GLP-1, estimulada por níveis pré-prandiais de glicose, bem como não houve aumento na expressão desta incretina nos animais exercitados. O treinamento físico reduziu estes parâmetros apenas nos animais nos ratos CON-EXE. Independentemente da condição (jejum ou glicose) e atividade (exercitados ou sedentários), o tratamento com MSG não teve efeito na expressão de GLP-1 no íleo. A natação induziu uma redução no acúmulo de tecido adiposo e preservou a homeostase glicêmica em ratos MSG obesos, mais provavelmente por modular diretamente a ação insulinotrópica do GLP-1 ou sua resposta nas ilhotas pancreáticas. O treinamento físico inibiu a ação do GLP-1 na presença de menor concentração de glicose. Porém, o treinamento físico foi capaz de restaurar a ação insulinotrópica do GLP-1 na presença de alta concentração de glicose nos ratos MSG obesos.