Posted on 08/20/2007 1:44:54 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A common virus caused human adult stem cells to turn into fat cells and could explain why some people become obese, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
The research builds on prior studies of adenovirus-36 -- a common cause of respiratory and eye infections -- and it may lead to an obesity vaccine, they said.
"We're not talking about preventing all types of obesity, but if it is caused by this virus in humans, we want a vaccine to prevent this," said Nikhil Dhurandhar, an associate professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University System.
The virus adenovirus-36 or Ad-36, caused animals to pack on the pounds in lab experiments. "These animals accumulated a lot of fat," Dhurandhar said in a telephone interview.
Dhurandhar also has shown that obese people were three times more likely to have been infected with Ad-36 than thin people in a large study of humans.
Now, researchers in Dhurandhar's lab have shown that exposure to the virus caused adult human stem cells to turn into fat-storing cells.
Dr. Magdalena Pasarica, who led the study, obtained adult stem cells from fat tissue of people who had undergone liposuction. Stem cells are a type of master cell that exist in an immature form and give rise to more specialized cells.
Half of the stem cells were exposed to the virus Ad-36. After a week, most of the infected stem cells developed into fat cells, while the uninfected cells were unchanged.
Pasarica presented her findings at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
"The virus appears to change their commitment to a fat storing cell," Dhurandhar said, adding that Ad-36 is just one of 10 pathogens linked to obesity and that more may be out there.
He acknowledged that some people might find it hard to believe that a virus could be responsible for obesity.
"Certainly overeating has something to do with gaining weight. No doubt about that. But that is not the whole truth," Dhurandhar said. "There are multiple causes of obesity. They range from simple overeating to genes to metabolism and perhaps viruses and infections."
Long term, he said he hoped to develop a vaccine and perhaps treatments for the virus. But first, he and colleagues need to better understand the role of Ad-36 in human obesity, he said.
Globally, around 400 million people are obese, including 20 million children under age 5, according to the World Health Organization.
How long was your stall for before you decided to change your eating habits? I just put up with a month long stall, I hit 193 coming out of June and spent the entire month of July bouncing between there and 195. Really made me mad too because 185 is my final goal and when I hit 193 I was really excited about hitting the last length. Finally things started trucking again the first full week in August, bouncing around 190 now and I didn’t change anything. Plateaus can last a long time, and the closer you are to your natural body weight the harder the whole process is, which means the plateaus get longer.
And of course there is more to it, which I haven’t denied. You have a body type which might include various hormonal conditions, this will all determine what your natural body weight is. But it’s very rare for someone’s natural body weight to be what a normal person (and yes I am deliberately discounting the BMI) would call obese, these people exist of course but they’re a statistical anomaly. And of course even for these people making sure their diet is healthy and getting some exercise isn’t going to hurt them, even the genetically obese can be obese in a healthy way, obviously they’re never going to be Jack Lalane healthy but they can get themselves to the point where they can do normal household activities and not gasp for wind.
You are welcome.
I don’t listen to them. They aren’t worth my time or respect.
Former Sgt, US Army
Well then, thanks are to be returned for you service my friend!
Semper Fi
you’re right, they aren’t ;)
“Everyone can find an hour in their day to exercise”
... sure
Thanks on both!
Everyone is different. I say this as a former vegan. Over 5 years of no dairy, meat, eggs, etc. Lots of fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, and some oils. I stopped because I got sick of the limitations and sick of hearing about how stupid my choices were from non-vegans. I ate the same as before, but I added meat to the rotation. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I was trying to lose 10 pounds for my wedding and went on Atkins, that I realized how much better I felt overall by limiting carbs. Less sluggish. Less bloated. Way more energy.
Yes, we used to hunt for our meat and therefore burned a lot of calories getting that meat. But it’s pretty hard to get fat from eating a true low-carb diet. With carbs you eat, your blood sugar goes up, and you’re hungry again in a short amount of time. With meat you’re satiated longer and your blood sugar stays stable.
My mom has Celiac disease and my dad is a competitive weight lifter (at age 65 - he rocks!) and both have switched to low carb as a lifestyle choice (and health choice for my mom). I visited them today and both are doing great health-wise.
But hey, everyone is different. If high-carb, vegetarian works for you, congratulations! I say that without trying to be smug or sarcastic - that can be hard to get across online.
Did you mean cytokines (actually adipocytokines)? You’re right. Correct fat consumption is really important.
“As for the virus explanation. This one comes around every decade or so”
That it came around in 1997 doesn’t equate to “every decade or so,” nor does the fact that it’s a previously noted association mean there’s nothing to it. On the other hand, this is the first time the method of action for producing obesity has been demonstrated. If someone can’t see the significance of finding that a commonly acquired virus DEMONSTRABLY prompts stem cells to convert to fat cells, I’m not sure there’s any point debating any further.
Additionally, once an individual has a significant increase in fat cells it’s going to be a problem for them almost regardless of how they’re currently eating. Weight gain is a self-promoting cycle beyond simply “food taste good, I want eat more food.”
I have been visiting the gym too to get my “virus” under control ;-) Only another 10 - 15 lbs to go....
>>I realize my example of “camps” was an extreme, but that’s my point. If those people really would’ve stayed FAT due to some metabolic thing, than they should’ve remained at least pleasingly plump.
Unless you have done an extensive personal investigation, I doubt you can make the statement that no one had any body fat there. What would you think if you saw someone who looked “pleasingly plump” in a concentration camp photo anyway? That they just got there?
Keep things clean so you don't exchange your "virus" for an MRSA infection. That's the downside of hanging around a public gym.
I cannot believe Paved Paradise is being dismissive because no one in a group of people living under extreme duress, heavy day-long manual labor and 500+ calories a day did not stay “pleasingly plump.” These attitudes are what blow my mind when it comes to these weight discussions.
I must have caught this virus right after I quit smoking. Go figure.
LOL. I completely understand. I checked with Wikipedia before posting my comment to you - so please know that I’m no expert on this stuff. :)
This giant virus moved into my house and started baking cookies and cakes, using nothing but trans-fats, well mostly trans-fats, and that’s why I’m so fat now.
It just tastes so good! Especially the Poor Man’s cake.
LOL
Wow. Can you imagine something like this being written today in our PC times?
No. Carmichael would be denounced as a sick freak for putting forth the idea of being attracted to a large woman. Simultaneously he would be criticized for making fun of the obese and also for promoting obesity.
So why does gastric bypass surgery work then? Those patients stop eating and lose lots of weight.
I don't believe that you have to eat to lose.
I read a few of the posts in this thread and only skimmed most of the others.
I don’t mean to be offensive or unsympathetic to those who are fat or obese.
I’m not an expert but I do know about exercising/being active and eating healthy. I was never skinny but never had a weight problem until after my 2nd kid. It took me over a year to lose the weight I put on during that pregnancy. I did, then had two more kids, lol. It was hard after the 4th but I wasn’t eating healthy and wasn’t exercising.
Calorie intake is important but also just as important, if not more, is the type of calories one is consuming. One also has to be active, exercising regularly as well as being active when not “exercising”
If an adult is eating only 1,000/day and not losing weight then I question just what it is he/she is eating. Also, the body may not be getting what it needs and is going into starvation mode/storing fat.
Dieting is good but it’s not about dieting, it’s about changing one’s lifestyle and that includes eating and activity.
I’ve had overweight people assume that I can eat whatever I want when that’s not the truth. I’ve had really fat people make comments about how easy it must be for me to stay in shape. And most of what I hear from them is excuses why they’re fat.
A healthy diet with regular exercise and lots of physical activity and mostly determination is the way to a healthy body.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.