Can Sick Fat Cells Cause Type 2 Diabetes?

Scientists at Temple University School of Medicine have discovered that fat cells are more healthy in normal weight people than in overweight or obese people.

In the study, fat cells found in the thighs of obese subjects didn't work as well as the cells found in the thighs of thinner subjects. This information leads researchers to conclude that if the cells don't work like they should, then they are "sick" cells.

In a quote from a press release, “The fat cells we found in our obese patients were deficient in several areas,” said Guenther Boden, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology. “They showed significant stress on the endoplasmic reticulum, and the tissue itself was more inflamed than in our lean patients.”

Being obese puts stress on the cells, especially the part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They are an important part of cells and their job is to synthesize proteins. When cells are stressed it causes the protein synthesis mechanisms to malfunction which can lead to insulin resistance, and possibly type 2 diabetes. This would explain the connection between obesity and type 2.

Losing weight may help lower the stress on fat cells, and subsequently lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.