Vitamin K is well known for its essential role in blood clotting, wound healing and bone strengthening. However, recent observational and intervention studies in humans suggest that this micronutrient may have additional physiological functions. This session will present preclinical research focusing on two emerging roles for vitamin K in: 1) the nervous and cardiovascular systems: Preclinical research by Dr. Guylaine Ferland at the Montreal Heart Institute conducted in the contexts of ageing and cardiovascular disease points to a modulatory role of vitamin K status in its basic actions in brain and the vasculature with resulting impact on cognition. 2) the beta-cells and type 2 diabetes: Preclinical research by Dr. Mathieu Ferron at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute links vitamin K to glucose metabolism in human and animal models and has uncovered a new mechanism by which vitamin K may protect pancreatic beta-cells from metabolic stress in mice.
Dr May Faraj is a professor of Nutrition and of Molecular Biology at Université de Montréal, an adjunct professor of Experimental Medicine at McGill University, and a member of L’Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec and Montréal Diabetes Research Center. Her research unit on Nutrition, Lipoproteins and Cardiometabolic Disease was inaugurated at Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) in 2009, where she is the co-leader of the Research Center on Cardiometabolic Health. Dr Faraj translational research program focusses on establishing a novel role for low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the pathology of type 2 diabetes, thereby expanding their traditional role in atherosclerosis especially in obesity. Funded by the Canadian institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), her lab conducted 3 bedside-to-bench clinical trials to uncover the immunometabolism mechanisms fueled by LDL especially in white adipose tissue. They also explore the therapeutic benefit of nutritional approaches mostly omega-3 fatty acids to target these mechanisms and prevent both type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. This work was made possible through the collective efforts of 48 stellar alumni and trainees, recipients of multiple prestigious fellowships and awards from Vanier, CIHR, and FRQ, who went on to occupy leading positions in the public and private biopharma and business sectors. Their novel findings are disseminated in over 115 contributions, including 56 manuscripts. Dr Faraj serves on multiple peer review/consultation/advisory committees including Canada International Gairdner Awards, CIHR, Heart and Stroke, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and recently CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes-Institute Advisory Board.