Turning the immune system against visceral fat

[Green Xenon]

Hi:

 

In my previous post http://www.scienceforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42585 , I was talking about using a virus to infect and kill of all the cells that make up the visceral adipose tissue. I then realized that it would spread to those who don't want or need it.

 

So I am now thinking about a better approach that will only affect those who want to be affected. It involves turning the body's immune system against the visceral adipose tissue without harming the rest of the body [including the subcutaneous adipose tissue].

 

Are there any experiments being done on this? Is this a dangerously-high chance that turning the immune system against visceral adipocytes will also damage the subcutuneous adipocytes? Or can the immune system tell the difference.

 

There are some folks who just can't get rid of that stubborn belly fat no matter how much they diet or exercise. It's genetic obesity. Many medications that supposedly assist in decreasing belly fat are useless for that purpose and instead have detrimental -- if not fatal -- side effects.

 

That is why I am thinking of better approach to treating -- and hopefully curing -- central obesity.

[GDG]

The first problem is that, by inducing immunity against visceral adipose tissue, you run a great risk of also end up inducing auto-immunity against other tissues. Basically, iatrogenic lupus.

 

The second problem is that inducing that amount of inflammation would be an intensely uncomfortable, possibly life-threatening, experience. You are essentially proposing to induce the equivalent of graft rejection. Using a blow torch instead of a knife...