Coupling cardiovascular control and energy metabolism in fish: the influence of emerging (nanoparticle) toxicants

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Cardiometabolic coupling is the physiological process linking energy metabolism and cardiovascular function. This is a well-established phenomenon in mammals but it is poorly understood in other vertebrates. The long-term goal of my research program is to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in cardiometabolic coupling using fish as a model. Characterizing these mechanisms will provide insight into core physiological processes and metabolic diseases in mammals. Fish are unique models to study this problem as their natural diet differs within and across species. This leads to large variations in the composition of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are precursors for compounds that influence cardiovascular function. The dynamic environment inhabited by fish also shapes their metabolism and may influence cardiometabolic coupling. Given the diversity of fish species, it is likely that many have evolved mechanisms to cope with metabolic/physiological disturbances that may not be functional in mammals.