ReviewAdipokine dysregulation, adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic syndrome
Section snippets
Metabolic syndrome, obesity and body fat distribution
The metabolic syndrome (MS) clusters several metabolic abnormalities, including central (intra-abdominal) obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension. The ultimate importance of this cluster is to identify individuals at high risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) felt a strong need for a practical definition of this syndrome. Central obesity, as assessed by waist circumference, was agreed as an essential
Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ
AT secretes a number of bioactive peptides or proteins, collectively named “adipokines”. They play a central role in energy and vascular homeostasis, as well as immunity, and are fundamental to the pathogenesis of the MS.
In the mid-1990s, the description of enhanced expression and secretion of TNF-α by AT of obese rodents has linked inflammation to obesity and insulin resistance (Hotamisligil et al., 1993). One year later, with the discovery of leptin, an adipocyte-specific adipokine that acts
Development of inflammation in adipose tissue
A first step for understanding the development of inflammation in AT of obese subjects is to characterize the different cell types that are involved and their potential cross-talk.
Conclusions and perspectives
Targeting the changes in the cellular composition of AT, the molecular mechanisms leading to these changes and the altered production of adipokines (or their receptors/action) may have therapeutic potential in the management of the MS.
Acknowledgements
Our work was supported by grants from the Foundation of Scientific and Medical Research and from the General Division of Scientific Research (Belgium).
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