Fat chance Research scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California at Los Angeles say cells found in fat could hold the answer to treating people with diabetes, cancer and fractured bones. The idea is akin to discovering that everyday garbage could somehow be converted into gasoline. The key is in the stem cells researchers say fat contains.
Stem cells fight infection, carry oxygen and promote healing.
The university research scientists based their conclusions on fat collected by liposuction. Their study's findings are published in the journal Tissue Engineering. Scientists hope one day to remove diseased tissue or organs, harvest stem cells and replace the lost tissues on the same day during the same operation. Scientists say that stem cell research holds promise for finding cures of such diseases as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease and cancer, along with spinal cord injuries and paralytic strokes. The recent discovery about fat could help sidestep a growing controversy over whether to harvest or create human embryos for research purposes.