Research at FAST

79 Award • Young Investigator Award (1 st place in poster Presentation), 20 th diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors - East Meets West Symposium ( 2018 ) Dr ZHU Yuyan Assistant Professor Research Overview We are studying the role of functional food components/nutrients in ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders, such as obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes, with the focus on the active endocrine organ -- adipose tissue. Meanwhile, we are employing novel technologies to study adipose tissue at both cellular and physiological levels. Our long-term goal is to provide mechanistic supports for dietary strategies or pharmaceutical interventions to ameliorate metabolic disorders and ultimately help you enjoy a healthy-long life. Applied research Dietary selenate attenuates adiposity and improves insulin sensitivity (Figure 1) (Journal of Functional Foods 17:33-42) • Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Here, we elucidated a novel role of selenate as a dietary micromineral in the prevention of obesity and its related energy dysfunction. Mechanistic research Cholesterol homeostasis is critical for adipogenesis (Figure 2) (Journal of Lipid Research 59(5):820-829) • Dysregulated lipogenesis in adipose tissue contributes to obesity and its metabolic disorders. Here, we identifed that ACAT, a cholesterol esterification enzyme, is required for the lipid storage in adipocytes during adipogenesis. For the first time, we coupled the role of ACAT into adipocyte development. Piceatannol inhibits lipolysis in adipocytes (Figure 3) (The FASEB Journal 29 (1_supplement), 248.6) • High level of serum free fatty acids releasing from adipose tissue is one of the major risk factors for the development of insulin resistance in obesity. Here, we identified that piceatannol, a resveratrol analogue found in various fruits and red wine, inhibits lipolysis by inducing lysosomal degradation of adipose triglyceride lipase ATGL with the activation of autophagy in adipocytes. Qualification BSc (ZJU) PhD (Purdue) ORCID ID 0000-0002-2928-6167 Figure 1 Patent • Kee-Hong Kim, Yuyan Zhu . “Compositions and methods for regulating body weight and metabolic syndromes” (filled on 2017 ), Pub. No. WO2018093966, United States Patent & Trademark Office Figure 2 Figure 3 Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology