Fat Cells Reproduce Themselves!

Mirabilis

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/12/29/fat-monkeys-chasing-cures.html

Aside from the research, the throwaway line is the one that surprised me. Fat cells replicate new/more fat cells. That wasn't thought to be the case until very recently if what I've read elsewhere is true.

The drug they're talking about has side effects, particularly re kidney function. This certainly makes liposuction more attractive, given that our kidneys are an essential service *nod*.

Mirii

kmbrooks15

Interesting that it says that when the daily injections stop, the weight comes back. So even if they did find a way to make this available for humans, it will still not be a substitute for healthy eating and exercise. Habits will still have to change. That "magic pill" people want that makes the fat disappear with no effort and no change in eat and exercise habits does NOT exist. But some people, sadly, will read this and think it's a magic cure for obesity.

I had also heard that fat cells don't reproduce, they just get bigger. It'll be interesting to see whether this holds true.

koosdel

This was my favorite part of the story;

" "They choose not to exercise and they choose to overeat, so in the same conditions of the other monkeys they become overweight all on their own," veterinary researcher Dr. Kirsten Barnhart said of the flabby, inactive primates that seem to just sit and stare at their food trays."

LabRat529

Huh. I'll admit I hopped on over here to correct a fallacy. I was going to say, "no, fat cells don't reproduce- they just get bigger!" But maybe they do replicate! I'll have to do some more reading. Thanks for posting this. I may have just learned something cool.