A recent study published in Nature Communications found that certain types of fat stored in the abdomen may play an important immune role in fighting inflammation and infection, contradicting the traditional view of abdominal fat as a purely health risk.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, explained that abdominal fat is not a single homogeneous mass, but is made up of different tissues with different functions, and that some of these tissues have been shown to exhibit immune activity that may be beneficial to the body.
The study focused on analyzing five different fat samples taken from eight obese participants, including subcutaneous fat, fat around the stomach, and fat near the intestines. The results revealed that the omental adipose tissue (mesenteric fat) that extends along the colon contains many immune cells and inflammatory adipocytes.
Experiments have shown that signals emitted by certain bacteria stimulate these fat cells to produce proteins that activate the immune system, thereby strengthening the body’s ability to fight infections, especially in the intestinal area.
“The function of fat is not limited to storing energy, but rather it is an active organ that sends signals that influence various body functions,” said study principal investigator Dr. Jiawei Zhong, adding that the common belief that all abdominal fat is “a misconception that needs to be corrected.”
In the same context, researchers suggested that this adipose tissue close to the digestive system plays an adaptive role in the “gut microbiome”, the community of microorganisms that live within the digestive system, which enhances its ability to support the immune response.
Although the study included only people suffering from obesity, the researchers suggested that it is still unclear how well these results apply to people of normal weight, and further research is needed.
Meanwhile, co-investigator Jutta Galkanen explained that the next stage of the research will focus on analyzing the role of fat around the colon in intestinal inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and determining whether these fats contribute to exacerbating or suppressing inflammation.
A recent study published in Nature Communications revealed that a specific type of fat stored in the abdomen may play an important immune role in fighting inflammation and infection. This contradicts the traditional view that belly fat is purely a health risk.
The study, conducted by researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet, explains that abdominal fat is not a single homogeneous mass, but is made up of different tissues with different functions, and notes that some of these tissues exhibit immune activity that may be beneficial to the body.
The study focused on analyzing five different fat samples from eight participants suffering from obesity, including subcutaneous fat, fat around the stomach, and fat near the intestines. The researchers found that the fat that runs along the colon, called mesenteric fat, contains many immune cells and inflammatory fat cells.
Experiments have shown that signals emitted by certain types of bacteria stimulate these fat cells to produce proteins that activate the immune system, increasing the body’s ability to fight off infections, especially in the intestinal area.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Jia-Wei Chong, said, “Fat is not limited to storing energy, but is an active organ that sends signals that influence various body functions,” adding that the common belief that all abdominal fat is “a misconception that needs to be revisited.”
In this context, the researchers suggested that these fatty tissues close to the digestive system may have an adaptive role for the ‘gut microbiome’ (the community of microorganisms that live within the gastrointestinal tract), increasing its ability to support the immune response.
Although this study included only individuals suffering from obesity, the research team noted that it remains unclear whether these results apply to normal-weight individuals and requires further investigation.
Meanwhile, co-investigator Jutta Yarkkanen explained that the next stage of the research will focus on analyzing the role of fat around the colon in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and determining whether this fat contributes to exacerbating or controlling inflammation.
