Related Experiment Videos
Morphology and cell dynamics of adipose tissue in hypothalamic obese mice
1Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
Morphological and cell kinetic characteristics of the epididymal adipose tissue of obese mice, induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG), were examined in comparison to those of normal mice. Mice treated with MSG for 5 postnatal days became obese after 8 wk of age; adipocytes of the MSG-treated mice were larger than those of normal mice. Heterogeneity was noted in components of the adipose tissue in the obese mice after 24 wk; various-sized adipocytes appeared, and the connective tissue elements increased; necrosis of adipocytes was observed by 36 wk; and mononuclear cells and macrophages infiltrated around the necrotic adipocytes. Such changes were not seen in normal mice. Autoradiographic study with continuous and pulse labeling with [3H]thymidine showed that half the fat cells were replaced in 150-200 days in normal mice and that the turnover rate of adipocytes was more rapid in the obese mice than in the normal mice. In the obese mice, cell death and cell renewal were found to occur more actively.
Insights
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) induces obesity in mice, leading to larger adipocytes and increased cell turnover. Obese mice exhibit more active cell death and renewal in adipose tissue compared to normal mice.
Area of Science:
- Adipose tissue biology
- Obesity research
- Cell kinetics
Background:
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used to induce obesity in experimental models.
- Understanding adipose tissue changes in obesity is crucial for metabolic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological and cell kinetic changes in epididymal adipose tissue of MSG-induced obese mice.
- To compare these changes with those in normal mice.
Main Methods:
- Induction of obesity using monosodium glutamate (MSG) in mice.
- Morphological examination of epididymal adipose tissue at various time points.
- Autoradiographic studies using [3H]thymidine for cell kinetic analysis.
Main Results:
- MSG-treated mice developed obesity with larger adipocytes compared to controls.
- Obese mice showed increased adipose tissue heterogeneity, adipocyte necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Cell turnover rate of adipocytes was significantly higher in obese mice than in normal mice.
Conclusions:
- MSG-induced obesity alters adipose tissue structure and dynamics.
- Obese mice exhibit accelerated adipocyte death and renewal processes.
- These findings provide insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction.