Researchers ID Inflammation-Fighting Pathway in Fat Cells

nlm.nih.gov — WEDNESDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) -- A new molecular signaling pathway in fat cells that suppresses harmful inflammation has been identified by Harvard School of Public Health researchers. The pathway prevents the fat cells -- called adipocytes -- from over-reacting to inflammation-causing stimulants such as fatty acids in the diet. However, the researchers also found that obesity-related cellular stress can override the protective function and turn the pathway into a trigger of chronic inflammation, leading to increased risk of insulin resistance, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. In lean people, the newly identified signaling pathway acts as a natural counterbalance to a parallel signaling pathway that promotes inflammation and can lead to health problems.

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