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Decoding fat tissue | EurekAlert!
New research from the University of Delaware aims to tackle the issue by investigating obesity at the gene level.Principal investigator Ibra Fancher, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology in UD’s College of Health sciences, discovered significant differences in gene expression in adipose tissue, more commonly known as fat.
URL: https://sciencesources.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1073051
Decoding fat tissue | UDaily – TittlePress
New research from the University of Delaware aims to tackle the issue by investigating obesity at the gene level. Principal investigator Ibra Fancher, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology in UD’s College of Health Sciences, discovered significant differences in gene expression in adipose tissue, more commonly known as fat.
URL: https://tittlepress.com/health/3392317/
A long-term high-fat diet induces differential gene expression changes…
A long-term high-fat diet induces differential gene expression in SAT versus VAT. Volcano plots reveal changes in gene expression wiht obesity in SAT (A) and VAT (B). Obesity-induced alterations in gene AT expression are denoted as the log fold change (FC) relative to AT from lean mice (n = 4 mice/group). Red denotes considerably upregulated…
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39348460/
Contents of genes analyzed, Fancher’s research identified four genes related to metabolism, calcium handling and inflammation that warrant further inquiry.
“We’re already looking to see if these genes are worthwhile pursuits in improving adipose tissue function in obesity,” fancher said. “They could potentially be targeted with existing drugs or spawn new treatments specifically designed to influence these genes.”
An innovative approach
Fancher worked with Bruce Kingham, director of UD’s Sequencing and genotyping Centre at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, and Shawn polson, director of the bioinformatics Data Science Core at UD’s center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and Delaware INBRE, as well as a research professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences in the College of Engineering.
“Our core facilities provide access to the advanced technologies and expertise for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics that enable UD investigators to do this type of research,” polson said. ”In this project, when we analyzed the data, it very clearly pointed us to obesity-related genes and pathways that varied between VAT and SAT.”
From left to right, Shawn Polson, director of the Bioinformatics Data Science Core at UD’s Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Recent research has shed light on the complex interplay between diet, gene expression, and obesity. A study conducted by Alradi et al. (2024) revealed that a long-term high-fat diet induces differential gene expression changes in spatially distinct adipose tissue of male mice. The findings underscore the intricate nature of adipose tissue and its role in metabolism and inflammation.
“Our approach shows how interconnected these processes are and why targeting specific pathways could make a difference in obesity treatment,” said one of the researchers, Fancher. Stringent statistical methods confirmed key findings about adipose depots, including significant changes in metabolism and inflammation.
“That makes us feel really good about the genes we identified,” fancher said. “It underscores the novelty of our findings.”
Next steps
Table of Contents
Fancher now plans to study gene expression in human adipose tissue. In collaboration with Dr. Caitlin Halbert,director of bariatric surgery at ChristianaCare,Fancher aims to determine whether previous findings apply to human samples.
He also noted the potential for sex differences.
“Obesity influences the sexes very differently, so I would not be surprised if we found sex differences,” Fancher said. ”Recognizing these differences is crucial to tailoring more personalized and targeted interventions.”
| Key Findings | Details |
|---|---|
| Gene Expression Changes | A long-term high-fat diet induces differential gene expression changes in spatially distinct adipose tissue of male mice. |
| Metabolic Changes | Significant changes in metabolism were observed in adipose depots. |
| Inflammation | Changes in inflammation were noted in adipose tissue. |
| Potential for Sex Differences | Obesity influences the sexes differently, suggesting the need for personalized interventions. |
for more insights into the study,you can read the full paper here.
Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking research and its potential impact on obesity treatment strategies.
Unraveling Obesity: New Gene-Level Insights and Sex-Specific Interventions
Recent groundbreaking research from the University of Delaware is shedding new light on the complex issue of obesity by investigating its genetic underpinnings. Principal investigator Ibra Fancher, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology in UDS College of Health Sciences, discusses the latest findings and their potential impact on obesity treatment strategies.
Interview with Ibra Fancher: Senior Editor,World-Today-News.com
Metabolic Changes in Adipose Tissue
editor: Yoru study highlights critically important metabolic changes in adipose depots. Can you elaborate on what these changes are and how they contribute to obesity?
Ibra Fancher: Absolutely.Adipose tissue, or fat tissue, plays a crucial role in energy storage and metabolism. Our research indicates that obesity triggers substantial metabolic alterations in these depots. As a notable example, we observed increased lipolysis, which is the breakdown of triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids, and altered lipid synthesis. These changes can lead to elevated levels of free fatty acids in the bloodstream, contributing to insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders associated with obesity.
Inflammation in Adipose Tissue
Editor: How does inflammation in adipose tissue play a role in obesity,and what are the implications of these findings?
Ibra Fancher: Inflammation in adipose tissue is a key factor in the development and progression of obesity. Our study noted significant changes in inflammatory markers within the fat tissue of obese individuals. This chronic low-grade inflammation can impair insulin signaling, promote metabolic dysfunction, and increase the risk of developing complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these inflammatory mechanisms is vital for developing targeted anti-inflammatory therapies to manage obesity and its related health issues.
Sex Differences in Obesity
Editor: Your research also suggests that obesity affects males and females differently. Can you discuss the potential sex-specific interventions based on these findings?
Ibra Fancher: Indeed,our findings indicate that obesity influences men and women differently at the genetic and metabolic levels. As an example, women tend to accumulate fat in the subcutaneous depot, while men often store it in the visceral area. This difference affects how fat tissue interacts with other metabolic pathways and contributes to inflammation. As a result, personalized interventions are essential.For example, weight loss strategies might need to be tailored differently for men and women to optimize outcomes and minimize health risks. Understanding these sex-specific differences can lead to more effective and targeted obesity treatment strategies.
Future Research and Clinical Implications
Editor: What are the next steps in your research,and how do you envision these findings translating into clinical practice?
Ibra Fancher: Our next steps involve further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the sex-specific differences in obesity. We aim to identify specific genes and pathways that coudl serve as potential targets for therapeutic interventions. In the long term,we hope to develop personalized treatment plans that consider individual genetic profiles and sex-specific responses to obesity. This approach could revolutionize obesity management and improve patient outcomes.
For more insights into the study, you can read the full paper here.
Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking research and its potential impact on obesity treatment strategies.
