Obesity-driven alterations in adipose-derived stem cells are partially restored by weight loss

The therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) is reduced by various stress-inducing conditions that affect tissue homeostasis such as diabetes, aging, and obesity. Previous works have provided evidence of negative effects of obesity on ASC populations, but it is unclear whether this persists after a weight loss. This study evaluated whether weight loss can restore the attenuated properties found in ASCs derived from populations with obesity (oASCs).

In vitro functional analyses were performed to investigate the possible recovery properties in mouse oASCs. Using ASCs isolated from subcutaneous tissue from formerly obese mice (dASCs) and control mice (cASCs), cell proliferation, viability, and some regenerative properties in these cells were analyzed compared with oASCs to evaluate the functional cell state.

Cell proliferation, viability, and some regenerative properties are strengthened in dASCs and cASCs compared with oASCs. Nevertheless, metabolic analysis reveals a mitochondrial load misbalance and function leading to impaired respiration in dASCs.

This study demonstrates that an initial obese environment triggers a detrimental state in ASCs that is not completely recovered after weight loss.