The growth of fat cells and their metabolism depend on oxygen and blood-borne nutrients. A possible way to regulate the amount of body fat â in order, for instance, to combat obesity â can therefore be to affect the development of blood vessels in the adipose tissue.
A team of researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now demonstrated the rapid development of blood vessels in the adipose tissue of mice exposed to low temperatures. This is followed in its turn by a transformation of the adipose tissue from âwhiteâ fat to âbrownâ fat, which has higher metabolic activity and which breaks down more quickly.
âThis is the first time itâs been shown that blood vessel growth affects the metabolic activity of adipose tissue rather than vice versa,â says Professor Yihai Cao, who led the study. âIf we can learn how to regulate the development of blood vessels in humans, weâd open up new therapeutic avenues for obesity and metabolic diseases like diabetes.â
Brown fat releases heat when it breaks down, and is mainly found in hibernating animals. In humans, it is found in newborn babies, but scientists believe by controlling blood vessel development that it might be possible to transform white fat to brown fat in adults as well.
Publication: âCold triggers VEGF-dependent but hypoxia-independent angiogenesis in adipose tissues and anti-VEGF agents modulate adipose tissue metabolismâ, Yuan Xue, Natasa Petrovic, Renhai Cao, Ola Larsson, Sharon Lim, Shaohua Chen, Helena M Feldmann, Zicai Liang, Zhengping Zhu, Jan Nedergaard, Barbara Cannon, Yihai Cao, Cell Metabolism, 6 January 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Professor Yihai Cao
Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology
Tel: +46 (0)8-524 875 96 or +46 (0)8-524 872 13
Mobile: +46 (0)70-559 75 96
Email: Yihai.Cao@ki.se
Press Officer Katarina Sternudd
Tel: +46 (0)8-524 838 95
Email: katarina.sternudd@ki.se
Karolinska Institutet is one of the leading medical universities in Europe. Through research, education and information, Karolinska Institutet contributes to improving human health. Each year, the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. For more information, visit ki.se
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