Researchers explained the effect of weight loss on the health of adipose tissue

A recent study led by Associate Professor Anne Loft, Associate Professor Jesper Grud Skat Madsen, and Professor Susanna Mandrup from the University of Southern Denmark explained the ability of weight loss to affect the health of adipose tissue. This was reported on January 12 by Medical Xpress magazine.

It is known that obesity is a condition in which adipose tissue becomes inflamed and loses normal functions, increasing the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is also known that weight loss reduces these risks. However, until now it remained unclear whether adipose tissue can fully restore health after losing weight or whether it retains the "memory" of obesity.

In the course of the study, scientists used single-cell technologies to analyze the adipose tissue of severely obese patients at three stages: before bariatric surgery, after a moderate weight loss of 5-10% due to diet, and two years after surgery, when the weight loss was 20-45%. Loft called the changes after significant weight loss "amazing."

"The number of immune cells decreased significantly, and the number of several types of immune cells decreased to the level usually seen in thin people. This is one of the most important improvements after weight loss, as immune cells promote inflammation and decrease insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue," she said.

According to the expert, such local insulin resistance can affect the entire body and over time increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related diseases. Loft emphasized that reducing inflammation and the number of immune cells has a beneficial effect on health.

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In addition, the researchers recorded an increase in the number of blood vessel cells, which improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to adipose tissue. Gene expression in all cell types also returned to the state typical for people without obesity.

Interestingly, with moderate weight loss, which clinically improves the sensitivity of the whole body to insulin, there was no decrease in inflammation in adipose tissue. According to Loft, this means that early metabolic improvements are not associated with reduced inflammation.

Professor Mandrup added that with moderate weight loss, scientists saw the growth of a certain type of fat cell precursors and the strengthening of genes responsible for the formation of new fat cells. As noted, this indicates that even a small weight loss can promote the formation of healthier fat cells and thereby improve insulin sensitivity.

"Our study shows that even moderate weight loss in these patients can benefit adipose tissue health. After significant weight loss, adipose tissue largely resembles the adipose tissue of thin people, which suggests that the "memory" of obesity is not as stable as previously thought," concluded Mandrup.

On December 10, Medical Xpress pointed out the role of the immune system. It was clarified that when neutrophils enter adipose tissue, they send signals that inhibit the breakdown of fats. According to the publication, this process may explain energy conservation under stressful conditions, as well as open up ways to treat obesity and metabolic disorders.

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