2015_06_16_CIE_Sara_Palacios

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), one of the proteins core topic in the generation of adipocytes (fat cells), which also favors the cells' response to insulin, could become a therapeutic target to treat diseases such as obesity or diabetes. This has been indicated by a thesis of the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra carried out by Sara Palacios.

Obese individuals are more susceptible to developing insulin resistance. This can affect fat cells causing glucose and fat to accumulate in the bloodstream becoming transported and stored in organs such as the liver or pancreas and affecting their function. "My work has proven that when the functioning of fat cells is altered, Cav-1 is also affected, so regulating it could alleviate the symptoms associated with obesity or diabetes," explained the researcher.

Thus, the fact that caveolae, Structures cells formed from Cav-1, occupy a third of the surface of fat cells, confirms their relevance in adipocytes. In fact, previous programs of study led by Carlos de Miguel, director together with Fermín Milagro of this thesis , had detected an increase in the amount of Cav-1 in fatty tissues of rats that had consumed a high-fat per diem expenses .

Sara Palacios, who has a degree in Biology and Biochemistry from the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra and is a former student of Master's Degree in research Biomedicine, is currently working at area of Nutrition and Bromatology of the University of the Basque Country, where she continues her research in the field of obesity and diabetes.