Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 07/08/2012 16:30:01

Title: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: thedoc on 07/08/2012 16:30:01

Jørgen Nilsson  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello,

Thank you so much for your show (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/). I was not aware, there is so much I didn't know.
 
When you loose weight (fat), I have been told the cells do not disappear, but shrink in size. Do they not have a lifespan, so that if you stay slim for a number of years, the cells will die and disappear?

Regards,
Jørgen

What do you think?

Title: Re: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: Nizzle on 30/08/2012 12:42:28

Nope, the number of adipocytes (fat cells) stays pretty constant throught your entire life, even if you stay slim for a number of years

Title: Re: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: CliffordK on 30/08/2012 19:13:27

Liposuction can remove adipocytes.
Otherwise, the fat cells just get fatter and thinner.

Title: Re: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: Bored chemist on 30/08/2012 20:32:16

Matter of definition: there are not many 150 year old fat cells.

Title: Re: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: CliffordK on 31/08/2012 05:37:08

Quote from: Bored chemist on 30/08/2012 20:32:16

Matter of definition: there are not many 150 year old fat cells.

In Humans.

Does Whale Blubber count?

Title: Re: Do fat cells disappear over time?
Post by: RD on 01/09/2012 02:27:07

Quote from: Jørgen Nilsson on 07/08/2012 16:30:01

...  Do they not have a lifespan ...

apparently 12 years ... http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=28959.msg301493#msg301493

Quote from: Jørgen Nilsson on 07/08/2012 16:30:01

... if you stay slim for a number of years, the cells will die and disappear?

Quote

Approximately 10% of fat cells are renewed annually at all adult ages and levels of body mass index.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v453/n7196/full/nature06902.html