Influence of obesity on remodeling of lung tissue and organization of extracellular matrix after blunt thorax trauma

Abstract

This study explores how diet-induced obesity affects lung tissue regeneration and ECM organization after blunt thorax trauma in male C57BL/6J mice. Lean mice demonstrated better recovery, while obese mice exhibited prolonged alveolar collapse, thickened walls, and incomplete alveolar clearance even at late time points. Obese mice showed impaired regulation of ECM-related genes and reduced total MMP activity during regeneration, with a decline in MMP activity to 50 % compared to a 50 % increase in lean mice after 6 hours post-trauma. These findings suggest obesity delays lung tissue repair by disrupting extracellular matrix remodeling mechanisms.,