Professor Francisco J. Schopfer, Vice Chair Biotech Development Department, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh USA

Inflammation and metabolism: Two tales of non canonical signaling fatty acids

Dr. Schopfer’s research is focused on the understanding of the biological effects of electrophilic fatty acids. In particular, he studies the mechanism by which nitrated fatty acid activate and signal through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). This receptor is the target of currently used antidiabetic drugs (thiazolidinediones). The activation of the receptor regulates fat and glucose metabolism, resulting in an overall decrease of glucose levels to normal values in patients with type II diabetes. The targeting of this receptor by nitrated fatty acids results in a decrease of the glucose levels to normal values like thiazolidinediones, but without the known secondary effects exerted by thiazolidinediones. In addition to the intrinsic therapeutic value of nitrated fatty acids, they will aid in the understanding of the biological mechanism involved in PPARγ activation, leading to improved designs of anti-diabetic drugs targeting the PPARγ receptor.