Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University				Publication | Japanese
Laboratory of Molecular Physiology & Pathology
	Outline of Research			Laboratory of Molecular Physiology and Pathology
The metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and dyslipidemia, reduces quality of life (QOL) due to the development of various symptoms. Obesity is one of the major factors contributing to metabolic syndrome, which is caused by a disorder of lifestyle and intake of unhealthy foods, especially kinds of fatty acids. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the role of fatty acids in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome or the development of obesity. Our goal is to make proposals on what should we eat to prevent metabolic syndrome. For this purpose, we have demonstrated the effects of changes of in fatty acid balance on the body states at the molecular level in adipocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and many others. We have also elucidated the mechanisms of adipogenesis by using mesenchymal stem cells and preadipocytes. Moreover, we have tried to apply fragrance of food to patients, including food intake disorders. In this way, we aim to understand the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome and identify preventive effects of the syndrome by dietary components. To achieve our goal, we conduct our research with collaborators. Research Topics: (1) Elucidation of the relationship of fatty acids in an extracellular environment with cellular functions (2) Monitoring of internal fatty acid balance using microvesicles in blood (3) Exploration of constituents derived from food that affect the size of lipid droplets (4) Improvement of QOL using fragrance of food (5) Elucidation of the role of a primary cilium in the development of obesity.
	Staff
	Professor	Gen-ichi Atsumi, Ph.D.
	Senior Assistant Professor	Masaki Saito, Ph.D.
	Assistant Professor	Kenichi Ishibashi, Ph.D.
	Fellow・Graduate Student
	Graduate Student	1 student
	Fellow	3 fellows