Scientists from Japan’s National Institute of Physiological Sciences have discovered brain cells that can reduce inflammation in adipose tissue that has previously been associated with cardiovascular disease. Research published in the journal Cell Reports.
The researchers conducted experiments on obese mice. They found that neurons (nerve cells) in the brain that secrete the SF1 protein can reduce inflammation in white subcutaneous adipose tissue. These neurons are located in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls hunger and metabolism.
“We found that mice without SF1-expressing neurons gained significantly more weight on both normal and high-fat diets,” the scientists explained.
There are different types of adipose tissue in the body. White adipose tissue is the most common form of fat and primarily acts as a calorie store, while brown adipose tissue plays an important role in thermogenesis, which is the production of heat by burning calories. Recent research suggests that inflammation in white adipose tissue may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in obese people.
The activation of neurons studied by the study’s authors could lead to the development of new treatments for obesity and related diseases.
Formerly doctors reported that some weight loss medications may increase the risk of thyroid cancer.