Research Symposium

BIO

Giovanna Cross is a second-year Florida State student pursuing a degree in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. As a UROP student, she assisted in conducting research on how endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance affects cardiovascular function and overall health. Giovanna hopes to pursue her career by attending medical school post-graduation.

Literature Review-Vascular and Metabolic Funcition

Abstract

Vascular and metabolic dysfunction both occur in obesity, and increased NADPH oxidative (Nox) activity has emerged as a key event in the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Data from the Hickner laboratory has identified that Nox is a major determinant of vascular complications in people with obesity. There is, however, limited research in humans that integrates the effects of Nox in vascular and metabolic tissues. Cell culture studies have identified Nox as a stimulus of lipolysis, which is the process of breaking down stored triglycerides and releasing them into the bloodstream. The overall goal of this study is to understand if Nox in adipose tissue and the adipose vasculature contribute to elevated blood glucose profiles through heightened rates of lipolysis and subsequent increased gluconeogenesis and hepatic glucose output.

Keywords: endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, cardiometabolic diseases, lipolysis.