Bettina Mittendorfer, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT:
The overall goal of the LLF-LRP is to conduct and stimulate new leading-edge research that supports the LLF’s mission to “identify factors that either predict the mortality and morbidity of selected populations or influence improvements in longevity, health, and wellness”. The LLF-LRP primarily focuses on cardiometabolic diseases, specifically diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular diseases, which reduce quality of life and are the leading causes of death.
During the current 3-year funding period, we established a new translational science collaboration to study the effect of dietary protein intake on factors involved in atherosclerotic vascular disease. High protein intake is common in Western societies and could have detrimental health consequences, because the results from studies conducted in animals and several population studies demonstrate that high protein intake is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality. The risk is generally greater with high animal protein than high plant protein consumption. The mechanisms responsible for the link between high protein intake and cardiometabolic diseases and for the difference in cardiometabolic disease risk associated with high animal protein compared with high plant protein intake are not well understood. We hypothesize that they involve amino acid-mediated activation of mTOR signaling in cells (monocyte/macrophages, platelets, endothelial cells) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The goal of the studies we propose in this application is to provide deeper mechanistic insights into the relationship between protein intake and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by using a collaborative translational research approach. Our proposal represents a paradigm shift in how a Western-type diet affects vascular health. Traditionally, the increased risk of atherosclerosis is attributed to the high saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrate intake. Accordingly, dietary approaches to reduce cardiovascular risk focus on reducing the intake of these nutrients, whereas high protein intake is recommended and has become popular.
LAY SUMMARY:
Cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes and atherosclerosis, reduce quality of life and are the leading causes of death, primarily due to heart attack and stroke. The Longer Life Foundation Longevity Research Program conducts new leading-edge research that identifies the factors involved in causing diabetes and atherosclerosis.
