Invitation to a two-day workshop, 17 - 18 June 2004, Drøbak
Obesity and related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes in man are the primary cause of disease-associated mortality in industrialized countries. The current knowledge of the complex nature of obesity related traits has been achieved by different strategies of research including epidemiological and clinical studies, and through the use of animal models. Although the genetic make-up partially can explain the prevalence of obesity related diseases, lifestyle changes in the past 50 years are considered to be a major factor. Dietary excess of carbohydrates and fat can have a profound effect on the strictly regulated energy balance and thereby causes complex metabolic disorders resulting in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Knowledge of how nutrients and pharmaceuticals target specific regulatory genes and thereby influence the overall energy homeostasis has partly been sought through the use of murine models. However, murine models clearly suffer from the lack of similarity to human lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and further do not develop cardiovascular diseases. Click here for more background information.The main objective of this meeting is therefore to highlight the potential of using the pig as model animal. Pigs share similarity both in metabolism and physiology and additionally possess a human-like cardiovascular system that develops experimental cardiovascular diseases. Invited speakers from the disciplines of nutrition, genetics, medicine and production biology will present their research in this field and highlight the potential of using the pig as a model animal where the murine models fall short. Prof. Rothschild, Iowa, USA, has been active as USDA Genome Coordinator in promoting collaboration and cooperation world wide by providing materials for pig gene research. Max Rothschild’s research program encompasses both quantitative genetics and molecular genetics. Prof. Staels, Lille, France, is research group leader in the Department of Atherosclerosis at the Institut Pasteur de Lille, France. Much of Prof. Staels’ research has focused on transcriptional mechanisms involved in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, particularly the possible relationship between activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and the control of inflammation and lipid and glucose homeostasis. Ass. Prof. Lindeberg, Lund, Sweden, has mainly focused on paleolithic diets (the Paleolithic is the time period 2,000,000-10,000 years BP), basically meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and nuts, and their effects on insulin resistance and related human disorders.
Preliminary program
Registration
Organizing committee: Hilde Sundvold, Stig Omholt, Sigbjørn Lien and Harald Volden.
Department of Animal and Aquacultural Science, Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), Agricultural University of Norway (NLH).
