The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge in Stockholm, focused on the activity of lipolysis in abdominal subcutaneous fat cells
Lipolysis, the metabolic process through which stored fat is broken down to produce energy, has been found to be more effective in women than in men, according to a new study. This may help explain why women, despite generally having higher body fat percentages, are less prone to developing metabolic complications like type 2 diabetes.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge in Stockholm, focused on the activity of lipolysis in abdominal subcutaneous fat cells. Lead researcher Professor Peter Arner stated, “The breakdown of lipids through lipolysis is essential for maintaining energy balance, and doing it effectively may prevent type 2 diabetes and other metabolic complications associated with overweight and obesity.”
Lipolysis involves the decomposition of triglycerides stored in fat cells into free fatty acids and glycerol. These products are then used by the body to meet energy demands, especially during fasting or physical activity. The process is primarily triggered by hormones called catecholamines, which are released during stress or exercise.
According to the research, women’s fat cells respond differently to these hormonal triggers than men’s. While the fat cells in women were found to be less sensitive to catecholamines—requiring higher concentrations to activate lipolysis—once triggered, the breakdown of fat occurred at a significantly faster rate in female cells compared to male cells.
“These results suggest a more efficient mobilization of fat stores in women once the process begins, which might contribute to their lower risk of metabolic issues,” Professor Arner explained.
To carry out the study, the researchers collected abdominal fat samples from adult men and women and exposed the cells to various concentrations of catecholamines. By measuring the glycerol released during the process, the researchers were able to determine the rate and effectiveness of lipolysis in each group.
Dr. Daniel P Andersson, co-author of the study, emphasized the clinical significance of these findings. “A better understanding of how fat is metabolized differently in men and women opens up possibilities for developing sex-specific treatments for metabolic diseases,” he said.
The implications of this research could be especially important for men, who are more susceptible to type 2 diabetes and related disorders when overweight. “Longer-term, our findings could aid in the development of drugs that lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in men,” added Arner.
The study highlights the importance of considering biological sex in the development of treatments for obesity-related metabolic disorders, pointing toward more personalized approaches in future healthcare interventions.
