fat

October 25, 2023

Immune system’s role in metabolic disease detailed in tissue atlas

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have published the largest known single-site adipose tissue atlas — a comprehensive, detailed map of the cells, structures and molecules within a specific tissue or organ, designed to support open-ended study.

By Paul Govern
January 12, 2023

Study may lead to new diabetes, heart disease treatments

Vanderbilt research found that deletion of an autophagy-participating factor named PIK3C3 from the fat cells of mice led to compromised body temperature control, abnormal blood lipid levels, fatty liver and diabetes.

By Bill Snyder
September 7, 2021

Regulators of fat cell metabolism

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered new details of the regulation of fat cell metabolism, findings that are important for combating obesity.

By Leigh MacMillan
Mariana Byndloss, DVM, PhD, Woongjae Yoo, PhD, and colleagues are studying how a high-fat diet may contribute to heart disease. (Photo taken prior to revised masking guidelines.)
August 12, 2021

Study reveals missing link between high-fat diet, microbiota and heart disease

A high-fat diet disrupts the biology of the gut’s inner lining and its microbial communities — and promotes the production of a metabolite that may contribute to heart disease, according to a study published Aug. 13 in the journal Science.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 18, 2021

HIV, diabetes and immune cells in fat

In HIV-positive individuals with diabetes, immune cells in fat are more proinflammatory and cytotoxic and may represent a therapeutic target for diabetes.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 27, 2018

Fat tissue’s “iron sink”

Alyssa Hasty and colleagues demonstrated that immune cells called macrophages act in fat tissue to store iron and prevent iron toxicity.

By Sanjay Mishra
June 7, 2018

Enzyme protects against obesity-related heart disease

Vanderbilt scientists have discovered that a certain enzyme plays a crucial role in preventing obesity-related cardiac dysfunction.
By Sanjay Mishra
March 8, 2016

Fat hormone’s role in zebrafish

The hormone leptin regulates glucose balance, but not fat stores, in zebrafish.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 17, 2014

Study examines therapeutic bacteria’s ability to prevent obesity

Engineered bacteria that produce a therapeutic compound in the gut prevent obesity in mice, Vanderbilt University investigators have discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 9, 2013

‘Yo-yo dieting’ inflames fat tissue

Gaining and losing weight during “yo-yo dieting” may contribute to an exaggerated immune response in fat tissue that increases metabolic dysfunction more than steady weight gain alone.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 12, 2012

Gene’s impact on ‘good’ cholesterol could affect heart disease risk

A genetic variant may help keep an individual’s “good” cholesterol in check.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 13, 2011

Mouse study offers clues for childhood obesity

An obesity-associated genetic variation makes fatty food more rewarding yet less satisfying, new research in mice suggests.
By VUMC News and Communications