The difference between white and
brown fat cells is well documented in both animal and human research to date.
However, what was not known until recently is that there appears to be two
forms of brown fat cells. Here we consider the implications of those findings.
The key difference between white and brown fat cells is
that white fat cells turn extra energy into fat, whereas brown fat cells turn
extra energy into heat. It appears that there are two types of brown cells,
with one type having been found in previous research and the other type (which
appears to disappear after adolescence) not being noticed in past research.
This is an important finding, as there have been numerous studies that have
aimed to develop ways of stimulating existing brown fat cells so that fat
tissue could be converted into heat. It goes without saying that in order to do
this it is vitally important to understand what type of cells would be
susceptible to this process. If successful, then this method would be a useful
alternative treatment for fighting obesity and co-morbidities associated with
it, including diabetes.
This finding is timely given that
reports from a recent small-scale study from Harvard University suggested that
it was possible to differentiate preadipocytes (taken from a human neck) into
metabolically active fat in vitro. In
order to get these results, the researchers took cells samples from five
different areas that were known for having brown fat cells. The samples were
taken from the most superficial layers to the deepest layers and included
subcutaneous, subplatysmal, carotid sheath, longus colli, and prevertebral from
a total of 31 patients. The key findings indicated that there was a striking
similarity between the cells taken from the neck and cells found in rodents.
This of course, has remarkable implications, as it could serve to re-evaluate
past animal studies.
Although
these findings are encouraging and novel, it is clear that they are only at the
very start of a process that may lead to the development of new treatments. We
are keen to see where the research will lead. For the time being, there is more
information here.