Sound Waves Influence Fat Cell Development, Kyoto Study Finds.

In a groundbreaking study, scientists from Kyoto University have discovered that sound waves can influence the fate of fat cells by altering gene expression in cultured cells. The findings, recently published in Communications Biology, reveal that acoustic stimulation can significantly affect cellular behavior, offering potential applications in medicine and health care.

Led by Masahiro Kumeta, a cell biologist who has spent over a decade exploring the impact of sound on cells, the research team focused on how audible sound waves affect gene activity. Previous studies by Kumeta had shown that sound could modulate mechanosensitive genes, but those experiments were affected by external factors like heat and mechanical vibrations, making it unclear whether sound alone was responsible for the changes observed.

To address this, the team developed a specialized system to immerse cultured mouse muscle cells in carefully controlled sound waves, minimizing unwanted interference. They then analyzed the genetic response of the cells using RNA sequencing. This approach revealed widespread changes in the expression of hundreds of genes, many of which are involved in critical cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, death, and neuronal signaling.

Among these genes, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) stood out for its consistently elevated expression following sound exposure. PTGS2 is known for its role in producing prostaglandins—molecules important in cell growth, inflammation, and fat cell differentiation. The researchers observed that muscle cells exposed to sound and showing increased PTGS2 levels had visibly larger diameters compared to untreated cells.

Further investigations into fat cells demonstrated that sound exposure led to a noticeable decrease in the transformation of precursor cells into mature fat cells. This suggests that sound waves could potentially be used to control fat cell development by targeting specific gene pathways.

“Since sound is immaterial, it offers a non-invasive, safe, and immediate method for influencing cellular processes,” Kumeta explained. “This discovery opens new doors for acoustic approaches in medical and health-related treatments.”

The study offers compelling evidence that sound is not merely a sensory experience but a powerful biological tool capable of reshaping cellular destiny through gene regulation.

Source:https://www.the-scientist.com/sound-waves-can-change-fat-cell-fates-72936

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.