荔枝视频

Researchers at the 荔枝视频 have identified a biological mechanism responsible for the increased risk of diseases, such as diabetes, after menopause. 

The team found that estrogen promotes the renewal and function of certain stem cells that protect women from cardiometabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that disrupt the cardiovascular system and are closely linked to heart disease. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, the cells lose their ability to generate healthy fat cells, leading to dysfunction in fat tissue and ultimately metabolic disease.

Led by , PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the an article sharing the study findings was recently selected as in the journal Diabetes.

鈥淲e know that women are protected from developing diseases like type 2 diabetes in obesity until they hit menopause, but we didn鈥檛 understand why,鈥� says Thompson. 鈥淚n this study, we identified how adipose progenitor cells contribute to sex differences in metabolic disease susceptibility and the increased risk after menopause.鈥�

Adds study first author, Dr. Taylor Scheidl, PhD: 鈥淲hen estrogen drops, the stem cells aren鈥檛 able to differentiate to form new fat cells. This is the inciting event for metabolic dysfunction throughout the body.鈥�

Obesity, defined by excessive body fat accumulation, is a major risk factor for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, the vast majority of research on obesity has been conducted in males. 

鈥淏y failing to study mechanisms in females, we are missing half the picture,鈥� says Scheidl.

Thompson says the findings highlight that obesity biology differs significantly in women, a critical step in developing new prevention and treatment strategies for cardiometabolic disease. The lab is now investigating whether hormone replacement therapy can help preserve healthy fat tissue after menopause.

The research used animal models to focus on adipose progenitor cells, specialized stem cells in fat tissue that generate new fat cells and help maintain healthy fat tissue. In women, these cells appear to play a critical protective role.

This study received funding from , the and the .