Fat cells accelerate wound healing
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Fatty tissue, which many people so want to get rid of, is of great importance for human health. Fat begins to form already in a four-month embryo and performs a lot of functions: it provides energy, it allows to maintain a constant temperature, protects from mechanical influences, is responsible for an adequate endocrine function. In addition, as it turned out, adipocytes (fat cells) are also able to provide accelerated healing of lesions - wounds.
Scientists have long known that fatty tissue retains energy, stabilizes the course of metabolic processes, controls the overall development of the body and the state of its immunity. But the fact that fat takes part in the processes of wound healing, it became known only now. To establish it it was possible to employees of University of Bristol - one of the most prestigious higher educational institutions of England. Specialists were able to follow the fat cells during and after tissue damage.
Scientists noted with the help of fluorescent dye a certain amount of adipocytes in the larvae of fruit insects Drosophila. Also small holes were made on the larval bodies - researchers used a special laser device for this purpose. What was discovered? For sixty minutes, the mass of fat cells was sent to the site of injury, bringing with it macrophages - devouring cells that provide immune protection to the body.
Fatty cellular structures with increased activity moved to the wound surface, while applying movements of the type of peristalsis. Adipocytes tightly "sealed" the gaps, interacted with immune cells, helped to clean the wounds from unnecessary substances. In addition, the fat cells separated 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 function required of them. Such a mechanism helps to speed up healing and fight infection in tissues, "the researchers indicate.
While scientists can only guess whether the fat cells will behave in the same way in the human body, as well as in the organisms of other vertebrates. Ahead are new research, and experts will have the opportunity to check whether the effect of fat cells is the same as in insects Drosophila.
As the researchers note, people know too little about fat and how it is arranged. Is it necessary to try to destroy adipose tissue? Perhaps, its presence is extremely important for maintaining health in the human body? Of course, everything is good in moderation, but how to determine how much fatty tissue is necessary to ensure all the functions assigned to it? While one thing is clear: scientists still need to conduct more than one study to answer all the questions posed.
The course of the study specialists described in the publication Cell Developmental.
Detailed information can also be found at cell.com
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