Project R-14585

Unravelling the potential of skeletal muscle derived extracellular vesicles in metabolic disorders (Research)

Metabolic diseases emerge as pivotal contributors to the prevailing worldwide cardiovascular challenge. These diseases are characterised by the disruption in the normal processes of energy production, storage, and utilisation, described as metabolic inflexibility. A significant challenge lies in the fact that efforts to reverse metabolic diseases, namely physical activity and training, often fail to achieve the intended outcomes. This may be partly explained by disruptions in inter-organ crosstalk, resulting in the alteration of several physiological parameters. Particularly, within the field of exercise physiology, the release of signalling factors (such as myokines) from the contracting skeletal muscle plays an important role in the physiologic adaptations to physical exercise. Thanks to their ability to transport biological molecules, extracellular vesicles, specifically skeletal muscle-derived vesicles (SkM-EVs), may hold promise as potential targets for therapeutic and diagnostic applications across various diseases. In the context of exercise physiology, these SkMEVs play a role in delivering myokines to recipient organs. However, recent research has only scratched the surface in investigating these SkM-EVs. Therefore, this project will explore the potential alterations in SkM-EVs in the context of metabolic disorders. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms will be explored as comprehending these disruptions is pivotal to establish more effective treatment strategies for metabolic diseases

01 November 2023 - 31 July 2025