Antoaneta Sawyer, PhD
The etiopathogenesis (the cause and development) of obesity, as part of the metabolic syndrome, remains problematic, questionable and still rather unknown. Insulin resistance (IR), which is often despite not always seen as a consequence of an increased obesity, is probably the cornerstone of metabolic syndrome and the main link to the metabolic cluster appearance.
Recent cascade of clinical trials is oriented to the viral etiology of the metabolic syndrome and obesity. Latest studies predict that a “Common Cold” virus may be the reason behind the metabolic syndrome and obesity appearance. (Source, Wiki) It is well known that common cold is an infection shown with symptoms like sniffles and sore throat for a period of one to three days, after the viral respiratory inhalation. In fact, common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract infection caused by several viruses, the most common of which is the human Rhinovirus, and several others known as Coronavirus, Adenovirus, and human Para influenza virus (HPIVs) might be involved in its pathogenesis.
A new clinical study published in Stem Cells (Pasarica et al. 2008) at Pennington Biomedical Research Center suggest that an adenovirus called “AD-36” may be the new adipogenic factor, involved in some cases of obesity. AD-36 it is proven to cause obesity in chickens, mice, rats, and monkeys. The human adenovirus 36 (AD-36) is one of the 52 types of adenoviruses known to infect humans. It was first shown to be associated with obesity in chickens by Dhundhar et al. (2000).
The authors speculate that the virus seems to show similar serotype as the one that causes sore throat, cough and common cold, but it may also contribute to weight gain. The same research claims that 33% of all obese adults have contracted AD-36 at some point in their lives, compared to just 11% of thin (lean) people.
The etiopathogenesis (the cause and development) of obesity, as part of the metabolic syndrome, remains problematic, questionable and still rather unknown. Insulin resistance (IR), which is often despite not always seen as a consequence of an increased obesity, is probably the cornerstone of metabolic syndrome and the main link to the metabolic cluster appearance.
Recent cascade of clinical trials is oriented to the viral etiology of the metabolic syndrome and obesity. Latest studies predict that a “Common Cold” virus may be the reason behind the metabolic syndrome and obesity appearance. (Source, Wiki) It is well known that common cold is an infection shown with symptoms like sniffles and sore throat for a period of one to three days, after the viral respiratory inhalation. In fact, common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract infection caused by several viruses, the most common of which is the human Rhinovirus, and several others known as Coronavirus, Adenovirus, and human Para influenza virus (HPIVs) might be involved in its pathogenesis.
A new clinical study published in Stem Cells (Pasarica et al. 2008) at Pennington Biomedical Research Center suggest that an adenovirus called “AD-36” may be the new adipogenic factor, involved in some cases of obesity. AD-36 it is proven to cause obesity in chickens, mice, rats, and monkeys. The human adenovirus 36 (AD-36) is one of the 52 types of adenoviruses known to infect humans. It was first shown to be associated with obesity in chickens by Dhundhar et al. (2000).
The authors speculate that the virus seems to show similar serotype as the one that causes sore throat, cough and common cold, but it may also contribute to weight gain. The same research claims that 33% of all obese adults have contracted AD-36 at some point in their lives, compared to just 11% of thin (lean) people.
According to the lead author, it seems quite likely that the virus triggers obesity by spreading to other parts of the human body. The team considers that when the virus goes to the fat tissue- it replicates, making more copies of itself increasing the number of new fat cells, which may explain why people get fat when they are infected with this virus. They concluded that a person exposed to AD-36 virus may recover from related viral ailments rather quickly, but he/she could gain weight for a period of 3 months. This is the period until the body will build up resistance to the same virus. Above all people infected with the virus could remain contagious for three months.
Further, it was found in several other studies that AD-36 could turn adult stem cells from fat tissue into fat cells. To recent date, AD-36 is the only human adenovirus that has been linked with human obesity, present in 30% of obese humans and 11% of non-obese humans (Albu, 2005; Augustus et al., 1967; Atkinson, 2007).
Another team of researchers led by Vangipuram (2007) infected ‘young’ fat cells with a variety of adenoviruses. The authors found that the adenovirus AD-36 suppresses the production of leptin by up to 51% and increases the reuptake of glucose in fat cells infected with this virus, leading to the secondary simulation of fat production. It was found that the fat accumulation is significantly higher than in cells that had not been infected. (Souce, Health24) Finally, the authors’ concluded that people could be fat for reasons other than viral infections so it's really pointless for fat people to try to avoid infection.
Further, it was found in several other studies that AD-36 could turn adult stem cells from fat tissue into fat cells. To recent date, AD-36 is the only human adenovirus that has been linked with human obesity, present in 30% of obese humans and 11% of non-obese humans (Albu, 2005; Augustus et al., 1967; Atkinson, 2007).
Another team of researchers led by Vangipuram (2007) infected ‘young’ fat cells with a variety of adenoviruses. The authors found that the adenovirus AD-36 suppresses the production of leptin by up to 51% and increases the reuptake of glucose in fat cells infected with this virus, leading to the secondary simulation of fat production. It was found that the fat accumulation is significantly higher than in cells that had not been infected. (Souce, Health24) Finally, the authors’ concluded that people could be fat for reasons other than viral infections so it's really pointless for fat people to try to avoid infection.
Note: For more info on obesity and metabolic syndrome, please subscribe for the Milwaukee Diets Examiner
Photo credit: Flickr (Colros)
Courtesy: Youtube.com (CBS)
No comments:
Post a Comment