Inherent Abnormalities of Fat Cells from Massively Obese Individuals

In vitro investigations into adipose cell dynamics have revealed intrinsic characteristics of massively obese individuals' cells that could contribute to a relatively intractable expanded fat mass. Morbidly corpulent peoples' preadipocytes replicate to a greater degree than those from lean individuals. Coupled with exaggerated differentiation this enhanced growth would result in a greater number of fat cells which would increase adipose tissue mass. The relative resistance to de-differentiation that adipocytes from the massively obese demonstrate would contribute to stability of an increased number of adipocytes further exacerbating the problem. The increased message of an energy sensing protein, the obese gene product, suggests that the morbidly obese are insensitive to its action. Together these attributes provide a strong argument for a significant genetic role in the pathogenesis of obesity.