The Role of Angiogenesis in Obesity

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillary blood vessels, is a tightly regulated process. Under normal physiological conditions, angiogenesis only takes place during embryonic development, wound healing, and female menstruation. Dysregulation of angiogenesis is associated with many diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and proliferative retinopathy. The growth and expansion of adipose tissue require the formation of new blood vessels. Adipose tissue is probably the most highly vascularized tissue in the body, as each adipocyte is surrounded by capillaries, and the angiogenic vessels supply nutrients and oxygen to adipocytes. Accumulating evidence shows that capillary endothelial cells communicate with adipocytes via paracrine signaling pathways, extracellular components, and direct cell-cell interactions. Activated adipocytes produce multiple angiogenic factors, including VEGF, FGF-2, leptin, and HGF, which either alone or cooperatively stimulate the expansion and metabolism of adipose tissue by increasing adipose tissue vasculature. Recently, it was demonstrated that antiangiogenic herbal Ob-X extracts and Korean red ginseng extracts reduce adipose tissue mass and suppress obesity by inhibiting angiogenesis in obese mice. Thus, angiogenesis inhibitors provide a promising therapeutic approach for controlling human obesity and related disorders.

Intramuscular fat formation in fetuses and the effect of increased protein intake during pregnancy in Hanwoo cattle

“…Capillary endothelial cells interact with fat cells through paracrine signaling pathways, extracellular components, and direct cell-cell interactions [ 34 , 38 , 39 ]. In addition, activated adipocytes produce angiogenic factors such as vascular epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 2, leptin, and hepatocyte growth factor, which, alone or in cooperation, increase angiogenesis and promote the growth and metabolism of adipose tissue [ 40 ]. Consequently, the growth and development of adipose tissue are highly dependent on angiogenesis.…”

“…Differentiation of mature adipocytes is regulated by transcription factors such as the C/EBP family and PPARγ [38]. C/EBPβ not only regulates the expression and activity of PPARγ but is also involved in the synthesis of PPARγ ligands [40].…”