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fat cell

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fat cell

a connective tissue cell distended with one or more fat globules, the cytoplasm usually being compressed into a thin envelope, with the nucleus at one point in the periphery.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

fat cell

n.
Any of various cells found in adipose tissue that are specialized for the storage of fat. Also called adipocyte.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Adipocyte

A generic term for any fat-storing cell, either:
(1) White (yellow, or adult) fat cells, which are far more common. These are unilocular—i.e., their cytoplasm contains a single humongous lipid-rich vacuole containing triglycerides and cholesteryl ester that flattens the remaining cytoplasm and nucleus to the outer edge. White fat cells—all 30 billion of them—secrete adiponectin, leptin and resistin, and weigh 13 kg/2 stone/30 lbs. White adipocytes divide once they grow beyond 4 times their usual size.
(2) Brown (baby) fat cells are multilocular and polygonal. In contrast to white fat cells, brown fat cells are rich in mitochondria and generate heat.
Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

fat cell

(fat sel)
A connective tissue cell distended with one or more fat globules, the cytoplasm usually being compressed into a thin envelope, with the nucleus at one point in the periphery.
Synonym(s): adipocyte, adipose cell.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
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References in periodicals archive
First, it uses the energy stored in the fat cells to fuel new activity.
These markers were expressed at increasing levels as the in vitro adipogenesis process proceeded and primary stromal vascular fractions differentiated into fat cells. The expression levels of these markers were also regulated in vivo.
Resistin, another hormone produced by fat cells, prompts other tissues such as muscle to resist insulin.
Dr Michael Jensen, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said the findings supported the idea that increased capacity to produce lowerbody fat cells created some form of protection to the upper body.
Leptin is normally produced by fat cells, or adipocytes, but is somehow prevented from interfering with the accumulation of surplus fat.
Louis U.S., by activating Hedgehog pathway in fat cells in mice they could feed the animals a high-fat diet without making them obese.
"The therapeutic potential of both kinds of brown fat cells is clear," the authors write in the Cell article, "as genetic manipulations in mice that create more brown or beige fat have strong anti-obesity and anti-diabetic actions." Researchers are already seeking ways to exploit human brown fat for human benefits.
He further explained, however, the study indicated that a dysfunction resulting from stress or inflammation could disrupt the process of fat tissue development, which could have a negative impact on processes dependent on proper fat cell homeostasis.
London, March 30 ( ANI ): A new slimming product on the market has claimed that it can dissolve fat cells, allowing people, who are dieting, to pass them out of their bodies with their urine.
Using a cutting-edge atomic force microscope and other microscopy technologies, they were able to observe the material composition of the transforming fat cell, which became stiffer as it expanded.
How many people realise that the number of fat cells in their bodies are established during teenage years - or that losing weight doesn't actually remove fat cells; it just makes them smaller?
Cleared by the US FDA, CoolSculpting works by gently cooling targeted fat cells in the body to induce a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells without affecting surrounding tissue and the treated fat cells are gone for good.
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