UT Southwestern researchers find ways to minimize ill effects of obesity

... using "world's fattest mice."

by John P. Meyer

Once again, mice are proving indispensable to the study of fat-related ailments. Mice and, of course, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center, without whom the mice would go largely (if not entirely) unheralded.

Dr. Phillip Scherer, creator of "world's fattest mice."

Speaking of "largely": to advance their study relating to obesity and its connection to diabetes and insulin resistance, the UTSW researchers genetically engineered what may be the WORLD'S FATTEST MICE. You heard me right: these mice are beyond tubby. According to the header on this press release, they are - to employ medical terminology - "morbidly obese." Fortunately for my high-caloric lunch plans, there are no photos appended to the story.

Dr. Philipp Scherer, who looks like a man who knows a really fat mouse when he sees one, led the research which - in a normal mouse-sized nutshell - determined that an overabundance of the hormone adiponectin in the test mice rendered them immune to many of the negative health effects of obesity. Specifically, high adiponectin levels limited the storage of excess fat to the fat tissue itself, instead of in the vital organs or muscle tissue where it could lead to inflammation, diabetes or heart disease.

The results, if translated to human terms, suggest that infusions of adiponectin could protect overweight people from some of the ill effects of obesity. In the case of the mice, it renders them "physiologically skinny," to use Dr. Sherer's terminology. But they still have to turn sideways when passing other mice in the plastic tubular hallway.

This mouse isn't fat - yet.

In the absence of an actual photo of the world's fattest mice, I've scoured the internet and come up with this mouse who, while not fat, is on his way to becoming that way by consuming crepe after cheesy, buttery crepe. So, imagine this little mouse fellow growing fatter and fatter until his girth exceeds the circumference of the hot plate and you'll have an idea of just how incredibly fat the UT Southwestern mice must be. Let's just say you probably wouldn't want to meet them in a dark alley, unless you're fond of backing out the way you came in.