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Add this to the list of subtle places that fat can accumulate : your lung .

A young study shows , for the first time , that fat can hoard in the airway walls ofthe lung , the authors write . The amount of fat accumulation was gamy among the great unwashed who were fleshy or obese , compare with those of normal weight .

An illustration of the lungs.

A new study finds that fat accumulates in the airways of the lungs. Above, an image showing a lung tissue sample under a microscope. Fatty tissue, or adipose cells, can be seen in the outer wall of the airway.

What ’s more , the findings may explain , at least in part , whyobesityis a risk factor for asthma , according to the field , published Thursday ( Oct. 17 ) in theEuropean Respiratory Journal .

The liaison betweenobesity and asthmahas been known for years , but the reason for the data link is not completely understand . Some researchers have suggest that excess weight places direct press on the lungs , making take a breather more difficult . Others have advise that obesity may increaseinflammationthroughout the body , which put up to asthma .

But the new study " suggests that another mechanism is also at play , " written report conscientious objector - author Peter Noble , an associate prof at the University of Western Australia in Perth , say in a statement . Fat accumulation may change the body structure of hoi polloi ’s flight path in a way that raises asthma risk , the author said .

A new study finds that fat accumulates in the airways of the lungs. Above, an image showing a lung tissue sample under a microscope. Fatty tissue, or adipose cells, can be seen in the outer wall of the airway.

A new study finds that fat accumulates in the airways of the lungs. Above, an image showing a lung tissue sample under a microscope. Fatty tissue, or adipose cells, can be seen in the outer wall of the airway.

Still , more inquiry is needed to corroborate whether fatty tissue paper in airways really does contribute to asthma , and whether weight expiration could reduceasthma risk of infection .

Related : Gasp ! 11 Surprising Facts About the Respiratory arrangement

Hidden fat

The researchers had been contemplate changes in the air duct tie torespiratory diseaseswhen they noticed that their lung samples demonstrate that fatty tissue construct up in the wall of the airway within the lung , said study lead source John Elliot , a senior research officeholder at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth . The scientist marvel whether this fat accumulation was tied to eubstance weight .

To figure that out , Noble , Elliot and their fellow canvas PM samples of airway tissue paper from 52 people , include 16 who had expire of bronchial asthma - related suit , 21 the great unwashed who had asthma attack but had died of other cause , and 15 hoi polloi who had no history of asthma attack prior to their deaths .

When the researcher used exceptional dyes to analyze the tissue samples under a microscope , they see fatty tissue that had gather in the airway walls among people in each of the three groups .

a close-up of fat cells under a microscope

In addition , the amount of fatty tissue in the airway walls was linked with each person’sbody hoi polloi forefinger ( BMI ) , meaning that more fat accumulated in individual   with higher BMIs , compared with those with lower BMIs .

The researcher advise that fat accumulation may lead to a thickening in the airways , which trammel airflow . " That could at least partly explain an increment in asthma symptoms , " among multitude with obesity , Noble said .

" This is an authoritative finding on the relationship between consistence weight and respiratory disease because it point how being heavy or weighty might be making symptoms worse for citizenry with asthma , " Thierry Troosters , Chief Executive of the European Respiratory Society , who was not involved with subject field , said in a staetment . " This go away beyond the dim-witted notice that patient role with obesity want to emit more with activity … the observation point at true air duct change that are associate with corpulency . "

a man coughs and clutches his chest during an asthma attack

Although the findings still postulate to be confirmed , doctors should patronage asthma patients to help them reach or wield a tidy system of weights , he said .

in the first place write onLive scientific discipline .

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