Severe Obesity Accelerates Lung Aging, New Study Finds

A recent study led by Professor Dr. Veronika Lukacs-Kornek from the University of Bonn reveals that severe obesity can cause the lungs to age at a faster rate. Published in the journal Cell Reports, the research highlights how excess weight impacts lung health by remodeling the extracellular matrix—the structural protein network that maintains lung shape and function.

The study explored how obesity influences lung tissue at the molecular level, utilizing advanced multi-omics techniques to analyze proteins, fats, and genes. Comparisons between the lungs of obese and lean mice, alongside examinations of human lung tissue, demonstrated that obesity leads to significant changes in lung structure. Notably, connective tissue cells called fibroblasts in obese lungs accumulate fat, become more mobile, and show early signs of aging.

These cellular and tissue modifications disrupt the lung’s scaffolding and protease regulation, making the lungs less elastic and potentially causing breathing difficulties commonly observed in obese individuals. Interestingly, these alterations mirror those typically seen in older adults, suggesting that obesity may drive premature lung aging.

The research team faced challenges in analyzing the complex fibroblastic stroma—the supportive tissue of the lungs—due to its intricate cell composition and the insolubility of many extracellular matrix proteins. Their findings underscore the impact of obesity on lung health and open new avenues for investigating targeted therapies to combat obesity-related respiratory issues.

This discovery emphasizes the importance of managing obesity not only for metabolic health but also for preserving lung function and preventing early aging-related decline. Further research is ongoing to better understand the mechanisms behind these changes and to develop strategies for maintaining lung health in obese populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-severe-obesity-lungs-age-prematurely.html