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ADENOVIRUS & OBESITY IMAGES: the Adenovirus 36 (Ad-36) has been linked to obesity, suggesting an infectious component to the obesity epidemic. | |||
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![]() preadipocyte & adipocyte cells being attacked by viruses |
![]() preadipocyte & adipocyte cells being attacked by viruses |
![]() preadipocyte & adipocyte cells being attacked by viruses |
VIRUSES AND OBESITY: The interesting thing about Ad-36 (and also Ad-37) - see images along top of page - is that they have been implicated in the human obesity epidemic. In some studies those who had a high BMI (Body Mass Index) were five times more likely to have antibodies to Ad-36 than those who were not obese. The increased adiposity seems to be seen along with a decrease in blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. These viruses seem to target preadipocytes (or early lipoblasts) causing increased differentiation and fat storage. TRY OUR NEW BODY MASS INDEX CALCULATOR! |
![]() Adenovirus. Web image measures 450 pixels across, original image is 2244 pixels acrossAdenovirus is a naked icosahedral virus that contains a double stranded DNA genome. From each vertex, there projects a fibre (red) whose blob like end attaches to host cells. |