Infectobesity

From CopperWiki

Infectobesity is based on the theory that some people gain significant weight not because of genetics or overeating, but because of different or higher numbers of microbes in the gut. Although "infectobesity," a new term to describe obesity of infectious origin, appears to be a new concept, over the past 20 years six different pathogens have been reported to cause obesity in animal models.

[edit] Why should I be aware of this?

During the last decade infection, an unusual factor causing obesity, has started receiving greater attention. In the last two decades, 10 adipogenic pathogens were reported, including human and nonhuman viruses, scrapie agents, bacteria, and gut microflora. Some of these pathogens are associated with human obesity. If "Infectobesity" is found relevant to humans, it would be a relatively novel, yet extremely significant concept. In order to gain a new perspective about the infectious etiology of obesity, additional research will be required to assess the contribution of hitherto unknown pathogens to human obesity and possibly to prevent or treat obesity of infectious origins.

Though studies in infectobesity are still in their infancy, for those who have spent a lifetime struggling against gaining weight, these new theories on infectobesity may offer significant hope.

[edit] All about Infectobesity

Twenty-five years ago, researchers discovered that certain viruses can cause obesity in some animals. A decade ago, they extended the finding to people. Now, a team reports that one such virus works by transforming adult stem cells into fat-storing cells. The finding supports the notion that some cases of obesity may be infectious.

Obesity has many causes, including genetic factors, overeating, and a sedentary lifestyle. In some people, however, adenovirus-36 may be the culprit. Adenoviruses cause colds, but adenovirus-36, apparently also causes obesity.

In a 2005 study of 502 obese and normal-weight people, researchers reported that 30 percent of the obese group showed signs of previous adenovirus-36 infection, while only 11 percent of the lean group did.

In earlier laboratory tests, the virus made chickens, rodents, and monkeys fat, says Richard Atkinson, now president of Obetech in Richmond, Va., who led some of that work.

[edit] Specific gene in the virus

A specific gene in the virus was found by the scientists. This gene appears to control this fatty transformation, which the acientists observed when human stem cells grown in the laboratory became infected.

This study, however does not go to prove that the virus is the only cause of obesity. But it provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections.

[edit] The virus

In humans, adenoviruses AD 36 which are naked DNA viruses with icosahedral symmetry, are frequently associated with acute upper respiratory tract infections. They may also cause enteritis and conjunctivitis. Adenoviruses can easily be isolated from nasal swabs or from feces.

There are 50 different types of human adenoviruses listed with the American Type Culture Collection, and their infections are transmitted via respiratory, fomite, droplet, venereal and fecal-oral routes. Adenovirus type 36 (Ad-36) does not cross-react with most other human adenoviruses (29, 30); therefore, it is antigenically unique. Ad-36 was first isolated in 1978 in Germany in the feces of a 6-y-old girl suffering from diabetes and enteritis (30).

In four separate experiments, chickens and mice when inoculated in four separate experiments with human adenovirus Ad-36 developed a syndrome of increased adipose tissue and paradoxically low levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides (9) . This syndrome was not seen in the chickens inoculated with avian adenovirus CELO. Sections of the brain and hypothalamus of Ad-36–inoculated animals did not show any overt histopathological changes. Ad-36 DNA could be detected in adipose tissue, but not skeletal muscles of animals, for as long as 16 wk after Ad-36 inoculation.

[edit] What can I do?

Practice prevention. It is possible that our busy lifestyle may bring us in contact with the virus through a variety of people and situations.
Vaccines are an option for some viral infections, but in the case of the common cold and other adenoviruses, this is not a solution.
Developing a healthy immune system is the best way to deal with anything with which you may come in contact.
You can develop a healthy immune system through a proper diet which provides enough vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and is low in pesticides, additives, and allergens.
Exercise will also take care of your immune system.

[edit] CopperBytes

At least 10 viruses are believed to cause obesity in animals, and two have been tenuously linked to people.
Antibodies against one (SMAM-1, which causes obesity in chickens) were found in about 20% of a group of 50 obese people tested in 1992.
After exposure to Ad-36, chickens, mice, monkeys and rats hardly act under the weather at all, but their body fat increases, sometimes even doubling. Strangely, though, their total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels go down
People who have antibodies for Ad-36 also have better metabolic profiles than people who don’t.
It’s unknown whether more people are exposed to Ad-36 now than 30 years ago since no one was tested then. ^[1]

[edit] 90 degrees

The findings, which were presented to the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, suggest that the growing global epidemic of obesity may involve more than a lack of exercise and a love of high-calorie food.

[edit] See also

[edit] References:

[edit] Source

↑ Los Angeles Times

[_note-Los_Angeles_Times] Los Angeles Times

[1]