Magneto-mechanical nanomaterials for adiposopathy: An in vitro proof-of-concept modulating lipid and inflammatory response

Obesity has reached critical levels worldwide, driving co-morbidities like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. These conditions stem from adiposopathy, a pathological alteration of adipose tissue caused by hypercaloric diets and sedentary lifestyles. Current treatments, including pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, are limited by side effects, invasiveness, and poor patient compliance, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapies directly targeting adiposopathy. In this study, we explore a novel magneto-mechanical treatment (MMT) using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to induce mechanical stress in adipose tissue cells via a low-frequency alternating magnetic field (LF-AMF). We synthesized octahedral Fe3O4 MNPs through thermal decomposition and functionalized them with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and chitosan (CHITO) to enhance biocompatibility. The effects of MMT were evaluated on macrophages and adipocytes—key players in adiposopathy—using a custom-built LF-AMF device operating below 100 Hz. Our findings demonstrate that MMT induces cellular damage in macrophages, characterized by DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inhibited cell proliferation and inflammation. In adipocytes, MMT promotes lipolysis, reducing fat storage and restoring physiological differentiation. These results suggest that MMT can modulate adipose tissue composition and function, offering a promising non-invasive approach to treating adiposopathy.