title: Diet impact on mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics.
abstract: Diet induced obesity is associated with impaired mitochondrial function and dynamic behavior. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles and the balance in fusion/fission is strictly associated with their bioenergetics. Fusion processes are associated with the optimization of mitochondrial function, whereas fission processes are associated with the removal of damaged mitochondria. In diet-induced obesity, impaired mitochondrial function and increased fission processes were found in liver and skeletal muscle. Diverse dietary fat sources differently affect mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics. In contrast to saturated fatty acids, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce fusion processes and improve mitochondrial function. Moreover, the pro-longevity effect of caloric restriction has been correlated with changes in mitochondrial dynamics leading to decreased cell oxidative injury. Noteworthy, emerging findings revealed an important role for mitochondrial dynamics within neuronal populations involved in central regulation of body energy balance. In conclusion, mitochondrial dynamic processes with their strict interconnection with mitochondrial bioenergetics are involved in energy balance and diet impact on metabolic tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Putti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sica
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Migliaccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Lillà
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lionetti
keywords: caloric restriction; dietary fat; energy balance; mitochondrial fission; mitochondrial fusion