The body has two types of fat cells: white fat cells, which store fat, and brown fat cells, which burn fat to maintain body temperature. Researchers have discovered that the cells can switch from one type to another, opening a new avenue in obesity research. Scientists from ETH Zurich have shown for the first time… [Continue Reading]
Engineered Probiotic Bacteria Could Help Improve Metabolism and Health
December 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
New research shows that bacteria that produce a specific fatty acid molecule may have healthful effects for metabolism. A recently published study fed mice a specifically engineered bacterial strain, and found that the molecular composition of their fat tissue changed. The work has relevance for the development of future therapies to influence fat tissue in… [Continue Reading]
Fat Cells Under Pressure
November 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A research group at Tel Aviv University has developed new techniques to study the impact of mechanical forces on fat cells. The work sets the stage for determining whether a fat cell can be controlled by physical forces, such as pressure or vibration. Information from modeling these “virtual cells” may be useful for developing optimal… [Continue Reading]
Mouse Fat Cells Reprogrammed Into Clinically Useful Stem Cells
July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Scientists have “reprogrammed” adult mouse fat cells and neural cells to become stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of different cells (pluripotency). The cells, called “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS), are nearly identical to the naturally occurring pluripotent stems cells, such as embryonic stem cells, which are highly pluripotent, in short supply and… [Continue Reading]
Size of Waist and Fat Cells Predict Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women
September 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A discovery by a team of Swedish researchers helps explain why some women of normal weight develop type 2 diabetes, despite not having any known risk factors. The research shows that when it comes to assessing risk for type 2 diabetes in women, not only do waistlines matter, but so does the size of fat… [Continue Reading]
High Levels of Adiponectin Associated With Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk
July 8, 2009 By 2 Comments
According to an analysis of previous studies, persons with higher levels of adiponectin, a protein that is produced by fat cells and that has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, have an associated lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin levels are decreased in obesity and adiponectin levels are lower in patients with coronary artery disease. Image:… [Continue Reading]
White Tea Extract Inhibits Development of Fat Cells
May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Possible anti obesity effects of white tea have been demonstrated in a series of experiments on human adipocytes (fat cells). Researchers have shown that an extract of white tea effectively inhibits the generation of new fat cells and stimulates fat mobilization from mature fat cells. A team of researchers studied the biological effects of an… [Continue Reading]
Healthy Blood Vessels May Prevent Fat Growth
September 22, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The cells lining blood vessels are known to be important for maintaining health, but researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine believe these cells may perform an unsuspected task – controlling the development of fat cells. The researchers found that precursor or stem cells have a markedly reduced tendency to develop into fat cells… [Continue Reading]