Molecular basis of skeletal muscle lipoapoptosis

High levels of saturated fatty acids result in cellular accumulatio of fatty acids, apoptosis (cell death) and tissue dysfucntion. the mechanisms in mediating 'lipoapoptosis' are poorly understood. Fat accumulation in muscles is also a feature of indulin resistance but whether this leads to lipoapoptosis and whether interfering with this process may arrest the pathophysiology of excess lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle is unknown. We aim to characterise the mechanisms trough which fatty acids induce apoptosis in skeletak muscle and detrmine the relationship between lipoapoptosis and insulin resistance. This will allow for the development of novel approached to improve insulin action.