Tag Archive for 'Fat'

Overfat prevalence categories in 30 of the most developed countries. Image credit: Maffetone et al.

Up To 90% of Men in the United States and Other Developed Countries are Overfat

Aug 1, 2017 by News Staff

The term ‘overfat’ refers to the presence of excess body fat that can impair health, even for normal weight individuals. In the U.S., New Zealand,...

Structure of milky spots in the omentum. (A) schematic of whole omentum in mice; the omentum is a thin strip of fat (yellow) that is covered by a layer of mesothelial cells (green); milky spots (MSs, blue) are located just beneath the mesothelial layer embedded between adipocytes; the omentum is well vascularized with an extensive network of capillaries (not shown), which connect to a large central blood vessel (red), running between the adipocytes; blood vessels also connect to the MSs and form a glomerulus-like knot of blood vessels in the lymphoid clusters; a large central lymphatic vessel (light blue) runs down the center of the omentum and branches from this vessel lead to MSs as well as to areas of the omentum that lack MSs; the human omentum is much larger and resembles an apron hanging in front of the abdomen, but also contains MSs. (B) structure of MS; MSs are loose collections of leukocytes embedded between adipocytes (yellow) just beneath the mesothelial layer (green); B cells (blue) form a central cluster, whereas macrophages (brown) and dendritic cells (light green) tend to accumulate around the outside of the MS and are also found individually throughout the omentum; T cells (green circles) and ILCs (orange) can be intermixed with the B cells or may cluster around blood vessels (not shown); cells and antigens are passively collected from the peritoneal cavity through fenestrations in the mesothelial layer by fluid flow or may be actively carried by phagocytic cells like macrophages; cells can also enter the MSs from the blood through HEVs (not shown). Image credit: Selene Meza-Perez & Troy D. Randall, doi: 10.1016/j.it.2017.03.002.

Omentum Performs Unique Immunological Functions

Jun 2, 2017 by News Staff

The omentum is an important immune organ that serves as a first line of defense against toxins and infection, according to a review paper published online...

Model depicting the FLP-7/NPR-22 neuroendocrine axis that underlies the 5-HTergic control of body fat loss. In the nervous system, an integrated 5-HT and octopaminergic circuit stimulates body fat loss. In this study, we report the discovery of a tachykinin signalling system that underlies the 5-HTergic control of body fat loss in C. elegans. The FLP-7 neuroendocrine peptide is secreted from the ASI neurons in response to 5-HT and Oct-mediated signalling. The nutrient sensor AAK-2/AMPK acts in the ASI neurons via the CREB co-regulator CRTC-1 to regulate FLP-7 release in response to 5-HT-encoded signals of food availability. Upon release, FLP-7 acts in the intestine via the NPR-22/NK2R receptor to stimulate the ATGL-1 lipase, which drives fat loss. The identification of FLP-7 and NPR-22 addresses a long-standing question about the molecular basis of the central effects of 5-HT on fat loss in peripheral tissues. Image credit: Lavinia Palamiuc et al, doi: 10.1038/ncomms14237.

Scientists Identify Brain-Signaling Molecule that Triggers Fat Burning

Feb 8, 2017 by News Staff

A research team led by Scripps Research Institute scientist Dr. Supriya Srinivasan has identified a brain hormone that appears to trigger fat burning in...

The new study provides further evidence of possible genetic influences on obesity, through heritable bacteria found in the fecal microbiome.

New Link Found between Body Fat, Fecal Bacteria

Sep 28, 2016 by News Staff

An international team of scientists has found a new link between the diversity of bacteria in the human fecal microbiome and levels of visceral fat (body...

The study offers new insights into the formation of fat bloom, an unwelcome white layer that occasionally forms on chocolate. Image credit: Alexander Stein.

X-ray Study May Aid in Making Better Chocolate

May 7, 2015 by News Staff

A new study published online in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces provides information that could help chocolatiers prevent a whitish...

Mango Fruit Peel May Help Reduce Obesity

Jun 7, 2012 by Enrico de Lazaro

Australian researchers have found that two common mango varieties contain natural compounds that may help fight obesity. Green mango A team from the University...

Scientists Identified Human Receptor for Tasting Fat

Jan 13, 2012 by News Staff

For the first time, a team of scientists at Washington University School of Medicine has identified a human receptor that can taste fat. The study, published...

1 23