Early removal of the thymus gland in early life leads to a premature aging of T cells, causing inflammation in visceral fat tissue and impairing glucose metabolism, which can contribute to glucose intolerance and increased frailty later in life. This immune-driven inflammation occurs independently of body weight and is linked to a shift toward memory T cells that promote inflammatory activity in fat, highlighting the importance of thymus function for maintaining metabolic and immune health. These findings suggest that preserving thymus health early in life may help prevent inflammation-related metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance.
