Project Details
Projekt
The influence of sugar within an energy balanced diet on post-prandial lactate levels and T-cell regulation
Applicant
Dr. Bettina Hieronimus
Subject Area
Nutritional Sciences
Term
from 2018 to 2020
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 400662066
Lactate was long considered a mere metabolic intermediate or end product. However today it is known that it is a pivotal metabolite that influences cells and organs. Lactate facilitates the development of insulin resistance, and therefore type 2 diabetes, and is also associated with other non-communicable diseases like chronic inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis or cancer. Immune cells are involved in some of those diseases and it was recently shown in rheumatoid arthritis that high blood lactate levels inhibit cell migration in certain T-cells (CD4+ und CD8+ T-cells) and stimulate them to produce inflammation markers. Those T-cells are involved in the development of chronic low-grade inflammation in the adipose tissue, which produces excessive lactate amounts due to insufficient perfusion. Lactate blood levels increase after sugar; especially fructose consumption and chronic consumption of sugar increases the basal lactate levels. Regular drinking of sugar sweetened beverages correlated with arthritis incidence in one study although the relationship remains to be elucidated. This project aims to study the influence of sugar consumption on blood lactate levels and the subsequent effects on specific T-lymphocytes (CD4+ und CD8+ T-cells). The project is embedded in a 10-week human intervention trial that studies the influence of sugar consumption on the metabolism. The study design is a single blind, parallel arm, randomized controlled intervention study with four groups (15 subjects each). The subjects (aged 18-40 years; BMI 22-28 kg/m2, with bodyweight > 50 kg) consume 0% or 25% of their daily energy requirements as high fructose corn syrup sweetened beverages alongside an energy balanced diet (no weight gain) or alongside a controlled ad libitum diet (possible weight gain). Postprandial lactate levels will be assessed (pre and post intervention) and correlated with insulin sensitivity. T-lymphocytes will be isolated from the subjects’ blood and tested for specific inflammation markers and migration potential. The results will provide knowledge on how continued sugar consumption dependent or independent of a positive energy balance influences the development of insulin resistance and inflammatory non-communicable diseases. This is of great interest to the public health sector as non-communicable diseases are an increasing burden to individuals and society. Results from this study will promote public health policies aimed at lowering free sugar consumption and attenuating the epidemics of non-communicable diseases.
DFG Programme
Research Fellowships
International Connection
USA
