EVMS researchers study belly fat

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - You've probably heard about the dangers of belly fat -- too much in the middle can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) have discovered people with diabetes have increased levels of of an inflammatory enzyme in their belly fat. It's technical name is visceral fat and it surrounds a person's internal organs.

Researchers are trying to understand how this impacts blood circulation so they can work on finding ways to fix it.

"If we want to come with a drug to inhibit inflammation, it's better to come with a drug that inhibits specifically the inflammation in this fat and throughout the body because that may have side effects," Dr. Anca Dobrian told WAVY.com.

The study is being done in conjunction with Dr. Stephen Wohlgemuth at Sentara Norfolk General . Patients who are undergoing weight loss surgery at Sentara are volunteering their belly fat and blood samples for the study.

EVMS is following those patients after surgery to see how their health is impacted.