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Fat cells accelerate wound healing
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Fat tissue, which many people want to get rid of, is of great importance for human health. Fat begins to form already in a four-month embryo and performs many functions: it provides energy, helps maintain a constant temperature, protects against mechanical impacts, and is responsible for adequate endocrine function. In addition, as it turned out, adipocytes (fat cells) are also capable of providing accelerated healing of injuries - wounds.
Scientists have long known that fat tissue stores energy, stabilizes the course of metabolic processes, controls the general development of the body and the state of its immunity. But it has only now become known that fat takes part in wound healing processes. This was established by employees of the University of Bristol - one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in England. Specialists were able to track fat cells during and after tissue damage.
Using a fluorescent dye, the scientists noted a certain number of adipocytes in the larvae of fruit insects Drosophila. Small holes were also made on the bodies of the larvae - for this, the researchers used a special laser device. What was discovered? Over the course of sixty minutes, a mass of fat cells moved to the site of injury, bringing with them macrophages – cells that devour the body’s immune defense.
Fat cell structures with increased activity moved to the wound surface, using peristaltic movements. Adipocytes firmly “sealed” the gaps, interacted with immune cells, and helped cleanse the wounds of unnecessary substances. In addition, fat cells released antibacterial peptides if the wound was infected.
“Adipocytes are mobile structures, so it is easy for them to move to the wound and perform the required function. This mechanism helps speed up healing and fight infection in tissues,” the researchers point out.
For now, scientists can only guess whether fat cells will behave in the same way in the human body, as well as in the bodies of other vertebrates. More research is coming, and experts will have the opportunity to check whether the effect of fat cells will be the same as that of fruit flies.
As the researchers note, people know too little about fat and how it works. Is it really necessary to try to destroy fat tissue? Perhaps its presence is extremely important for maintaining health in the human body? Of course, everything is good in moderation, but how can we determine exactly how much fat tissue is needed to ensure all the functions assigned to it? One thing is clear for now: scientists still need to conduct more than one study to answer all the questions posed.
The researchers described the progress of their research in the publication Cell Developmental.
More information is also available at cell.com
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