Scientists have proven the ability of obesity to accelerate the aging process of the lungs

A group of scientists has found that severe obesity accelerates lung aging. This may explain the breathing problems in overweight patients. This is reported by the Medical Xpress magazine.

The study was led by Dr. Veronika Lukacs-Kornek, a professor from the ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn and the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology (IMMEI) at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB). Scientists analyzed how the lungs adapt to nutritional challenges in obesity.

The team showed that obesity alters the extracellular matrix in the lungs, a protein "support" that gives the lungs shape and stability. These changes in lung tissue are similar to those that occur with age, suggesting the ability of overweight to cause "premature aging" of the lungs.

Modern multidimensional approaches were used for the analysis, which made it possible to simultaneously study proteins, fats and genes. In combination with microscopic images and experiments that show how the lungs work, the relevant data helped the researchers understand the molecular and functional changes.

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The researchers compared thin and overweight mice, analyzed connective tissue cells in human lungs, and studied the composition of lung tissue in detail. The results showed that with obesity, lung fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) accumulate fat, become more mobile, and show signs of premature aging.

At the same time, the matrisome (the "framework" of the lungs) changes and the balance of certain protease inhibitors is disrupted. These changes make the lungs less elastic, which, according to the researchers, may explain why obesity is often accompanied by breathing difficulties.

It is noteworthy that such changes are similar to those observed in the elderly. This points to obesity as a factor in accelerated lung aging.

One of the main challenges was to develop methods for analyzing the complex connective tissue of the lungs, the so—called fibroblast stroma, which consists of many different types of cells. In addition, the extracellular matrix is difficult to study because many of its proteins are insoluble and have a complex structure.

Earlier, on September 25, the Guangming Daily newspaper called weight control an important factor for maintaining health. It has been noted that effective body weight control can prevent the development of a number of chronic diseases. According to the publication, obesity can negatively affect the quality of life and work.

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