Differential Role of Adipose Tissues in Obesity and Related Metabolic and Vascular Complications

Figure 1

Contribution of white adipose tissue to obesity and its associated metabolic and vascular complications. Obesity is a proinflammatory state of low grade. Adipocytes, infiltrated macrophages, and lymphocytes in addition to endothelial cells from capillaries close to adipocytes contribute to local inflammation in WAT. In obesity an increase of lipid accumulation takes place in adipocytes, triggering cellular stress and the activation of JNK and NF-κB pathways leading to local inflammation in the adipocyte. The inflammation can go through the portal vein to the liver and finally to other peripheral tissues like vascular tissues where it can produce atherosclerosis, hypertension, and vascular insulin resistance.