Adipose Tissue Remodeling: Its Role in Energy Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders

Abstract

The adipose tissue is a central metabolic organ in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis. The white adipose tissue functions as a key energy reservoir for other organs, whereas the brown adipose tissue accumulates lipids for cold-induced adaptive thermogenesis. Adipose tissues secrete various hormones, cytokines, and metabolites (termed as adipokines) that control systemic energy balance by regulating appetitive signals from the central nerve system as well as metabolic activity in peripheral tissues. In response to changes in the nutritional status, the adipose tissue undergoes dynamic remodeling, including quantitative and qualitative alterations in adipose tissue-resident cells. A growing body of evidence indicates that adipose tissue remodeling in obesity is closely associated with adipose tissue function. Changes in the number and size of the adipocytes affect the microenvironment of expanded fat tissues, accompanied by alterations in adipokine secretion, adipocyte death, local hypoxia, and fatty acid fluxes. Concurrently, stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue, including immune cells, are involved in numerous adaptive processes, such as dead adipocyte clearance, adipogenesis, and angiogenesis, all of which are dysregulated in obese adipose tissue remodeling. Chronic overnutrition triggers uncontrolled inflammatory responses, leading to systemic low-grade inflammation and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance. This review will discuss current mechanistic understandings of adipose tissue remodeling processes in adaptive energy homeostasis and pathological remodeling of adipose tissue in connection with immune response.

Chronic administration of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) and asperuloside(ASP), the major component of ELE, prevents adipocyte hypertrophy in white adipose tissues

“…The hypertrophy of adipocytes in the visceral WAT is correlated with a high incidence of metabolic disorders. The hypertrophy of adipocytes in the visceral WAT increased basal fatty acid release, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, immune cell recruitment, hypoxia, fibrosis, decreased adiponectin, and impaired insulin sensitivity [1]. ELE and ASP could be beneficial for curbing metabolic disorders, as they prevent these harmful effects, which are caused by the hypertrophy of adipocytes in the visceral WAT.…”

“…Preventing obesity has a beneficial influence on not only health problems, but also economic problems. Obesity is characterized as hypertrophy and proliferation of adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) [1,2]. Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) has been reported to have various bioactive properties [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], such as anti-obesity effects [6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

The Association Between Obesity and Visit-to-Visit Variability in Systolic Blood Pressure: A Prospective Study

“…Large adipocytes are dysfunctional due to the in-creased secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, reduced secretion of the protective hormones (insulin, estrogen and adiponectin), which increases the presence of chronic subclinical inflammation, and dysregulation of metabolic homeostasis. On the other hand, in hypertensive state, the formed "circulus vitiosus" is easily maintained by the upregulated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines (30).…”

Very Low-Calorie Diets in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Effects on Inflammation, Clinical and Metabolic Parameters

“…The anatomical site where the excess calories are preferentially stored as triglycerides plays a pivotal role in the occurrence of metabolic abnormalities [33]. The adipose tissue has been recognized as the main site for lipid accumulation when excess calories are ingested [34]. However, studies have also shown that a positive energy balance over time leads to an increased accumulation of lipids (in the form of triglycerides) in various organs, including the liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas [35].…”