Overview of Adipocytes

Adipocytes are pivotal in both energy and glucose metabolism. These cells not only serve as repositories for energy storage in the form of triglycerides but also function as endocrine entities, secreting various molecules that influence energy expenditure, appetite regulation, and glucose metabolism. Recent evidence underscores that the size of adipocytes significantly affects their endocrine capabilities. Hypertrophic adipocytes, for instance, release increased quantities of tumor necrosis factor α and free fatty acids compared to their normal-sized counterparts, a phenomenon proposed to contribute to insulin resistance. Consequently, methodologies that enable rapid and precise measurement of adipocyte size are crucial for advancing our understanding of energy and glucose metabolism.

Precise Insights into Adipocyte Size and Count for Optimized Health and Wellness

The service is a pivotal element in our exploration of obesity, meticulously examining the dimensions and quantities of adipocytes to furnish critical insights into the functional and pathological states of adipose tissue. This comprehensive analysis unveils the underlying mechanisms driving obesity progression, including the proliferation and hypertrophy of adipocytes, thus offering invaluable data for comprehending the complexities of obesity. The findings derived from adipocyte size and count analyses serve as foundational elements for identifying potential therapeutic targets and elucidating mechanisms related to anti-obesity treatments. For instance, the hypertrophy of specific adipocytes may precipitate metabolic disruptions, while the proliferation of these cells could indicate driving forces behind the expansion of adipose tissue. Therefore, we develop diverse methods to research anti-obesity therapy.

By examining the morphological characteristics and count of adipocytes, Protheragen gains insights into the functional state of adipose tissue and its role in Obesity Pathobiology Research. We employ four primary methodologies for measuring adipocyte size and count, each offering distinct advantages.

• We employ a relatively swift technique that involves assessing the triglyceride and DNA contents of adipose tissue, wherein the estimated adipocyte size is calculated as the ratio of triglyceride content to DNA content. This approach is likely to underestimate adipocyte size, as the DNA measurement encompasses not only mature adipocytes but also pre-adipocytes and stromal-vascular cells, which may proliferate in response to high-fat diets. This potential underestimation might explain the discrepancy observed between the smaller increase in adipocyte size detected by triglyceride and DNA measurement compared to the larger increase identified through computer image analysis in our study.
• In this approach, adipocytes are preserved using osmium tetroxide and subsequently quantified through electronic counting. To ascertain the mean adipocyte size, we divide the lipid weight of a comparable sample by the electronically determined cell count. A notable advantage of this technique is its capacity for direct measurement of both adipocyte number and, contingent on the counter employed, adipocyte size.
• Besides, we apply microscopic examination of fixed tissue sections. This technique involves measuring adipocyte diameter in fixed histological slices to estimate cell volume. The method minimizes cell distortion, which is a notable advantage. Additionally, by measuring the cross-sectional surface area of adipocytes, we achieve a more precise estimation of cell volume. This approach has demonstrated considerable accuracy in recent studies.
• In addition, we utilize computer image analysis technology to directly measure the surface area of adipocytes, providing a more accurate reflection of their true size compared to merely measuring cell diameter. Furthermore, as a computerized technique, it facilitates the rapid and reliable assessment of a large number of adipocytes, enabling us to obtain detailed distributions and average sizes of the cells. This method also yields insights into cell size distribution, enhancing our understanding of the cellular characteristics within the tissue.

Preclinical Studies of Anti-Obesity Therapeutics at Protheragen

We also conduct comprehensive preclinical studies of anti-obesity therapeutics to understand their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action. When embarking on preclinical studies of anti-obesity therapeutics, the data derived from analyses of adipocyte size and count become essential for corroborating the efficacy and safety of novel approaches. These studies typically employ cellular or animal models, leveraging the data to assess the impact of various anti-obesity therapies on adipocytes and their role in metabolic regulation. Thus, the analysis of adipocyte size and count not only equips researchers with the tools to unravel the mechanistic intricacies of obesity but also establishes a scientific foundation for the development of anti-obesity therapies during the preclinical phase, ensuring that the developed treatments effectively address the health challenges posed by obesity. We have the capability to conduct a variety of preclinical studies on anti-obesity therapeutics, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the efficacy and safety of therapeutic strategy.

Workflow

Here is a brief description of the experimental process of image analysis technology.

Cell Isolation: We cut tissue into smaller pieces and transfer them to a plastic vial containing prewarmed medium and collagenase for incubation.

Fat Cell Preparation: We siliconize all glassware, create a small chamber on a glass slide using adhesive tape, and prepare a homogenous fat cell suspension for analysis.

Measurement Process: We measure the diameters of 100 fat cells using a standard laboratory photomicroscope at magnification.

Computer-Assisted Image Analysis: We analyze fat cell preparations under a microscope at 8x magnification, adjusting the condenser diaphragm to increase focal depth.

Data Processing: We present the results as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE) and perform linear regression analysis using the least-squares method.

Publication Data

Applications

• Our service can be used to analyze how obesity impacts body weight and metabolic health through adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy.
• Our service can be applied to assessing metabolic disorders associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, by monitoring adipocyte changes, thus helping to understand the mechanisms and progression of these diseases.
• Our service can be used as a valuable tool for accurately quantifying adipose tissue development, growth, and remodeling, thus supporting research into and intervention for various related diseases.

Advantages

• Our research team employs multiple methodologies for adipocyte size measurement, including triglyceride-to-DNA ratio assessment, electronic counting, microscopic examination, and computer image analysis, offering a well-rounded approach to adipocyte analysis.
• Our researchers use rapid and reliable computerized methods allowing for the efficient processing of data.
• We emphasize minimizing measurement errors and cell distortion, reflecting our commitment to delivering precise and reliable data that is essential for advancing scientific knowledge and clinical applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of adipocytes are there?

• White adipocytes
• Brown adipocytes
• Brite/beige adipocytes
• Yellow adipocytes

What other adipose-related services can we offer?

• Adipose Tissue Expansion Analysis Service
• Adipose Tissue Inflammation Analysis Service
• Adipose Tissue Fibrosis Analysis Service

Protheragen provides a comprehensive analysis of adipocyte size and counts using advanced imaging and measurement techniques. We deliver precise and reliable data to enhance understanding of metabolic health and optimize research outcomes. If you want to obtain detailed insights into adipocyte characteristics and contribute to valuable advancements in metabolic research and health management, contact us!

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.