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Adipose tissue retains an epigenetic memory of obesity after weight loss

(www.nature.com)
263 points paulpauper | 3 comments | 14 Apr 25 04:47 UTC | HN request time: 0.574s | source
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delichon ◴[17 Apr 25 07:26 UTC] No.43714003[source]▶
> ...it is plausible that epigenetic memory could also play a role in many other contexts, including addictive diseases. Recent advancements in targeted epigenetic editing global remodelling of the epigenome provide promising new approaches.

"Darn, I think I've contracted some alcoholism. Could you order me another bottle of the reset pills?"

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elric ◴[17 Apr 25 07:52 UTC] No.43714154[source]▶
More like "just take these GLP-1 agonists for the rest of your life". Those seem to have an effect on addictions etc. But at least when it comes to weight, people seem to put it back on once they quit. Perhaps the GLP-1 agonist is lacking an epigenetic reset button ...
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bsder ◴[17 Apr 25 07:55 UTC] No.43714163[source]▶
Fat cells only turn over about 20% per year. You basically need to maintain a reduced weight for 5 years before the fat cells "forget" the higher weight.

If you come off it before that 5 years are up, yeah, you are probably expected to bounce back somewhat.

You might not need to be on GLP-1 forever, but you might need to be on it longer than people currently think.

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1. Etheryte ◴[17 Apr 25 08:44 UTC] No.43714384[source]▶
Do you happen to have a reference for that or a specific link to learn more? That sounds oddly specific.
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2. senko ◴[17 Apr 25 08:58 UTC] No.43714457[source]▶
Was also interested and a quick search for "human fat cells turnover time years" returned a few research papers that quote 10% a year.
3. bsder ◴[17 Apr 25 20:47 UTC] No.43722068[source]▶
Not offhand, but it was an article talking about how they use background radiation to estimate cellular lifetimes.