Sometimes we talk about visceral fat as if it were just an aesthetic or weight issue, but as a person with diabetes it is increasingly clear to me that what is important is not just what the scale shows, but what happens within our adipose tissue.A recent study published in Nature Communications by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has discovered that a protein called SerpinB2 could be key to understanding why visceral fat promotes insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.
What scientists have seen is that defensive cells live in our adipose tissue, resident macrophages, which act as “guardians” keeping inflammation under control.In situations of obesity and chronic inflammation, these macrophages begin to disappear.The SerpinB2 protein is essential for them to survive and stop this inflammation.When it is missing, oxidative stress increases in your mitochondria, more free radicals are generated and these cells die.The result is more inflammatory adipose tissue and an organism that loses sensitivity to insulin.
What strikes me most is that in experiments with mice modified to not have SerpinB2 in their macrophages, the animals had higher levels of glucose, insulin and lipids although their weight did not change.This breaks quite a bit with the simplistic idea that everything boils down to “being overweight.”The metabolic quality of adipose tissue and inflammatory balance seem to be equally or more important than the kilos themselves.For those of us who live with type 2 diabetes or are at risk of developing it, this nuance is essential.
The study also looked at the role of glutathione, one of the body's most important antioxidants.Without SerpinB2, the genes related to this antioxidant system decrease and cellular damage increases.When they gave N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor, to mice lacking SerpinB2, it partially improved insulin sensitivity and lowered inflammation.Although most of the data comes from animal models and more studies in humans are still needed, the message is powerful: strengthening antioxidant defenses and controlling inflammation can be a key piece in metabolic prevention.
For me, all this reinforces something that we repeat a lot in the forum: type 2 diabetes is not just “high sugar”, it is a complex process involving inflammation, the immune system, oxidative stress and metabolism.Understanding these mechanisms helps us move away from blame and toward knowledge.When we understand that visceral fat is an active tissue that can directly influence insulin sensitivity, our decisions about diet, exercise, and self-care take on much deeper meaning.
I would like to know how you see it.Do you think there is enough talk about the role of inflammation and visceral fat in type 2 diabetes?Does knowing these mechanisms help you better understand your situation or that of a family member?Let's continue sharing information and experience, because the more we understand what happens inside our body, the more tools we will have to take care of ourselves and support others.💙
