Metabolic Inflammation in Obesity—At the Crossroads between Fatty Acid and Cholesterol Metabolism

Abstract

Metabolic inflammation is a classic hallmark of obesity that is associated with numerous cardiometabolic complications. Disturbances in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism are evident in obesity and likely intricately linked to the development and/or sustainment of metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance. Elevations in triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins and reductions in high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in turn are two major disturbances that accompany obesity. How metabolic dyslipidemia may contribute to metabolic inflammation is discussed. How aberrant cholesterol homeostasis coupled with excessive fatty acid accumulation prime pro‐IL‐1β and the evidence to support a synergistic partnership between cholesterol and fatty acids in driving metabolic inflammation are also discussed. Further, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical strategies aimed at attenuating low‐grade inflammation and implications for cardiometabolic complications of obesity are reviewed. The current literature on the importance of the local tissue microenvironment in activating adipose tissue macrophages within obese adipose tissue and the contribution of these local immune cells to metabolic inflammation is reviewed. Finally, the limitations to current biomarkers of metabolic inflammation and the importance of novel sensitive biomarkers in driving obesity sub‐type characterization to direct personalized medicine approaches to obesity treatment in the future are discussed.

Black Current Anthocyanins Improve Lipid Metabolism and Modulate Gut Microbiota in High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obese Mice

“…Obesity is a complex disease, which arises when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, resulting in dysregulation of lipid The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202001090 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202001090 metabolism and excessive energy storage. [1][2][3] Obesity is not only a cosmetic concern but also a severe medical problem that increases the risk of other metabolic diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers. [4,5] Current therapeutic approaches for treating obesity are often accompanied by side effects and high rates of secondary failure.…”

Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Vascular Function in Individuals with Obesity across the Lifespan

“…Obesity fosters a pro-inflammatory milieu primarily due to abnormally high visceral adipose tissue [ 9 ] leading to low-grade chronic inflammation, oxidative stress [ 61 ], IR, and impaired endothelial function [ 62 ]. Together, this collection of risk factors, if left untreated, may lead to the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, arterial stiffening [ 15 , 52 , 53 ], and ultimately, CVD and T2D in adulthood [ 18 , 63 ].…”

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