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A virus made you fat
Last month researchers told us that obesity is contagious: People who have fat friends have a higher chance of becoming obese.
But what if these friends actually have a virus that others are catching?
Researchers have found more evidence that infection with the human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) may contribute to obesity by turning stem cells into fat cells, according to a study presented Monday at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
The study also reported identification of a specific gene in the virus that appears to be involved in this obesity-promoting effect.
"We’re not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections," said study presenter Magdalena Pasarica of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. "Not all infected people will develop obesity."
The researchers used adult stem cells from fatty tissue from patients who had undergone liposuction. Half of the stem cells were exposed to Ad-36, which is associated with respiratory and eye infections in humans; the other half were not.
After a week, most of the virus-infected stem cells developed into fat cells, whereas the non-infected stem cells did not.
But like most alternative theories about obesity, there are plenty of unanswered questions. Scientists don’t know exactly how the virus might cause obesity in people and they don’t know whether other human viruses may also contribute to weight gain.
They also aren't sure how long the virus remains in the body of obese people nor how long the fat-enhancing effects linger once the virus is gone.
Animals remained obese up to six months after their infection is gone, but more human studies are needed.
Last month researchers told us that obesity is contagious: People who have fat friends have a higher chance of becoming obese.
But what if these friends actually have a virus that others are catching?
Researchers have found more evidence that infection with the human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) may contribute to obesity by turning stem cells into fat cells, according to a study presented Monday at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
The study also reported identification of a specific gene in the virus that appears to be involved in this obesity-promoting effect.
"We’re not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections," said study presenter Magdalena Pasarica of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. "Not all infected people will develop obesity."
The researchers used adult stem cells from fatty tissue from patients who had undergone liposuction. Half of the stem cells were exposed to Ad-36, which is associated with respiratory and eye infections in humans; the other half were not.
After a week, most of the virus-infected stem cells developed into fat cells, whereas the non-infected stem cells did not.
But like most alternative theories about obesity, there are plenty of unanswered questions. Scientists don’t know exactly how the virus might cause obesity in people and they don’t know whether other human viruses may also contribute to weight gain.
They also aren't sure how long the virus remains in the body of obese people nor how long the fat-enhancing effects linger once the virus is gone.
Animals remained obese up to six months after their infection is gone, but more human studies are needed.
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