# Dietary Protein Restriction Remodels Adipose Tissue to Defend Against Age-Related Metabolic Decline

> **NIH NIH R00** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2024 · $245,176

## Abstract

Abstract
Adipose tissue is a critical endocrine mediator of metabolic health that is functionally altered during aging and
obesity. Our data demonstrate that dietary protein restriction (DPR) increases whole body glucose
homeostasis and energy expenditure and protects against age-related metabolic decline, and that these
metabolic effects are associated with a remodeling of white adipose tissue that includes increased thermogenic
markers and adiponectin secretion. This project tests the hypothesis that the remodeling of adipose tissue
during dietary protein restriction directly improves metabolic health during aging. This model will be tested by
assessing the transcriptional and cell signaling pathways in adipose tissue that contribute to glucose
homeostasis and insulin sensitivity and determining which of these are altered during DPR in an age-
dependent fashion. Lastly, we will test whether increases in adiponectin contribute to whole body
improvements in glucose homeostasis during protein restriction, and whether using adipose tissue grafts from
protein restricted mice combats age-related insulin resistance in an adiponectin-dependent manner.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10913625
- **Project number:** 5R00AG070273-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Cristal Monique Hill
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $245,176
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10913625

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10913625, Dietary Protein Restriction Remodels Adipose Tissue to Defend Against Age-Related Metabolic Decline (5R00AG070273-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10913625. Licensed CC0.

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