Gut-Derived Substance Impairs.

This study found that a substance called endotoxin, which comes from the gut, harms the function of human fat cells by stopping a process called "browning" and making mitochondria (tiny powerhouses in cells) less healthy. This is important because it helps us understand why being overweight or obese can lead to inflammation in the body. The research shows that endotoxin stops white fat cells from turning into a type of fat cell that burns more energy, which is especially true for fat cells from overweight people. The studies also show that the endotoxin negatively affects brown fat cells in people who are overweight.

Using computer modeling and studying patients before and after weight-loss surgery, the researchers found that higher endotoxin levels relate to less brown fat in white fat tissue. This means more fat storage, leading to obesity and inflammation. In lab tests, endotoxin reduced the expression of genes related to brown fat in both lean and obese fat cells, suggesting that people with higher levels of endotoxin (like those who are overweight or obese) might produce fewer energy-burning fat cells. This could lead to more fat storage in the wrong places and issues like insulin resistance.

Additionally, the endotoxin affects the response of fat cells to certain stimulants, reducing the rate at which these cells burn energy as heat. This was true for both lean and obese fat cells, suggesting that higher levels of endotoxin could slow metabolism and contribute to obesity and metabolic problems. Finally, the studies showed that endotoxin hurts the function of mitochondria, further reducing the ability of fat cells to burn energy.

The researchers also found that endotoxin levels increase with body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat. They found more inflammatory markers in overweight and obese individuals compared to lean ones. This might affect the expression of genes related to brown fat.

The studies had some limitations, including only studying female participants. The researchers suggest that future studies should also include males.

The conclusion is that endotoxin could be stopping fat cells from burning energy and harming mitochondria in human fat cells, contributing to problems related to obesity, like high blood lipids and fat accumulation in places it shouldn't be in people with type 2 diabetes. These findings suggest that finding ways to target endotoxin might help prevent obesity-related diseases by improving the health and efficiency of mitochondria in fat cells, increasing the number of energy-burning fat cells, and improving their function.

Omran, F., Murphy, A.M., Younis, A.Z. et al. The impact of metabolic endotoxaemia on the browning process in human adipocytes. BMC Med 21, 154 (2023).

This paper explains one of the reasons why gut health is so important and a mechanism for why some people stay fat no matter how much they exercise.  This once again emphasizes the need for good gut health, a diet low in processed carbohydrates, consideration for adding a fasting regimen into your dietary plan, and the need for a daily probiotic.

 Jason & Rita.