Tag: Obesity

A new study has suggested that T cells might retain a pro-inflammatory phenotype long after normal weight is regained following a period of obesity. In mice, the effect lasts for weeks, while its existence and duration in humans are to be determined [1]. The inflammation that stays Obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition linked to...

Scientists have discovered that, like brown fat, white fat has a mechanism that burns fuel to produce heat. This effect could potentially be used to create weight loss drugs [1]. Central heating Cells use energy to power various cellular processes, with heat being a byproduct. However, we might need additional heat to survive. Brown adipocytes...

Scientists have discovered that obesity causes macrophages to ramp up mitochondrial DNA production, leading to more inflammation [1]. Obesity and inflammation Obesity is associated with multiple acute and chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and various metabolic disorders [2]. Increased sterile (not pathogen-induced) chronic inflammation is a major mechanism behind this wide impact [3]. A new...

Scientists have found that a single microbial species can blunt the negative effects of a high-fat diet due to the unique mix of lipids it produces [1]. They intend to identify its specific lipids in future work. Good neighbors The billions of gut microbes that we share our bodies with can profoundly influence our health....

A recent study discovered an association between visceral and, to a lesser extent, hepatic fat with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis. This association persists even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors [1]. Beyond BMI Body mass index (BMI) is a metric that compares height to total weight, including fat located under the skin (subcetaneous...

In Nature Aging, researchers have identified and categorized several macrophage subtypes, including a subtype that appears with aging and another that manages nerve function. Not all macrophages follow the same rules Chronic InflammationChronic inflammation refers to a persistent, low-grade buzz of immune activity that settles into the body without the drama of an infection or...