A new study by researchers from Nottingham Trent University in Britain revealed that parts of gut bacteria – called endotoxins – can leak into the bloodstream and damage fat cells, leading to weight gain.
"Our findings help shed light on how endotoxins may contribute to obesity and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes," the researchers said.
To find out the results of the study, the researchers examined two types of fat cells, white fat cells that store energy, in addition to brown fat cells that use energy and are associated with metabolic activity. Their goal was to understand the role of endotoxins in increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that the white fat cells of obese people were less likely to turn into brown fat cells compared to those of lean individuals, due to higher levels of endotoxins in the blood of the obese participants.
function of fat cells
"Gut microbiome entering the bloodstream reduces normal fat cell function and metabolic activity, which exacerbates with weight gain, contributing to an increased risk of diabetes," said Mark Christian, the study's senior author.
"It appears that as weight increases, fat stores become less able to limit the damage that parts of the gut microbiome may cause to fat cells."
Endotoxins are toxic substances found within the bacterial cell walls and released when they rupture or disintegrate.
