Mice came through for researchers once again, revealing the original stem cells that eventually evolve into fat cells. According to the experiment, mice lacking normal fat tissues can be given such a tissue by implementing them with these newly-found stem cells. Scientists at the Rockefeller University (RU) have been trying to separate this class of stem cells for a long time, but had limited success in the past, when they were using culture cells for the experiments.
 

But now, not only did they surpass that setback, but they were also able to achieve concrete results from their tests on living animals. In previous attempts to recreate fat-generating stem cells in lab dishes, scientists were only able to obtain fat cells that couldn't replicate or renew inside a living host, thus rendering the whole experiment useless. But the new attempt proved extremely successful, especially considering that by injecting mice with the newly-grown cells, the team led by Matthew Rodeheffer at RU was also able to cure diabetes in the animals, over a period of two weeks.
 

This discovery could have several major applications in the field of medicine, addressing two of the most spread diseases in the world today, diabetes and obesity. Given the fact that the cells treated in mice are similar to those humans have, it could become possible in the future to implement this new type of therapy into current medical practices, especially on patients suffering from lipodystrophy, a disease that renders the body incapable of producing fat naturally and thus results in diabetes.

 
With the success of the experiment, mice that were cured of diabetes in such a short period of time give scientists new hope of somehow being able to replicate these conditions in humans. Knowing that diabetes can currently be only managed, not completely healed, and that it can generate some very serious complications, such as blindness, nerve damage and chronic renal failure, a cure aimed directly at it will make many people return to a normal lifestyle. For now, prevention remains the best way to stay healthy, by avoiding smoking, drinking and by keeping a correct body mass proportion.