Juvenile onset obesity reveals sex-specific differences in immune-related metabolism

What is it about?

The distribution of adipose tissue is very different between males and females. When this distribution is altered inadvertently, for example by a poor early nutritional environment, it can predispose someone to a higher than average likelihood of developing symptoms associated with type II Diabetes. Here, using sheep as an animal model of juvenile onset obesity, we show that males tended to store fat abdominally, and secrete more insulin as compared to females. Their abdominal fat was also more 'inflammatory' cf females. In conclusion, using an animal model we show that young males are at greater risk than females to the onset of co-morbidities associated with juvenile onset obesity.

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Why is it important?

We show that sex has a major influence on the endocrine and individual adipocyte response to juvenile onset obesity. Males are affected more than females, resulting in amplified inflammatory gene expression which is predicted to place them at greater risk of subsequent metabolic dysfunction. Females appear to be protected from such a response through raised plasma cortisol and greater sensitivity of their adipocytes,.