Location, location, location...
Intra-abdominal fat is an established risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Tran et al. (2008) test the cell-autonomous and location-related properties of transplanted intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat depots. While subcutaneous fat seems to confer metabolic benefits, species differences in adipose biology justify caution in interpreting the results.
Harris
Ruth B S
RB
Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Leibel
Rudolph L
RL
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000637:transplantation*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000637:transplantation*