Characterization and Treatment of Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Obese Adipose Tissue

Zhenhua Lu, Yao Li, Jinghai Song Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jinghai SongDepartment of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 DaHua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing 100730, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8619800315020Email jhaisong2003@163.comAbstract: Adipose tissue is the largest energy storage and protection organ. It is distributed subcutaneously and around the internal organs. It regulates metabolism by storing and releasing fatty acids and secreting adipokines. Excessive nutritional intake results in adipocyte hypertrophy and proliferation, leading to local hypoxia in adipose tissue and changes in the release of adipokines. These lead to recruit of more immune cells into adipose tissue and release of inflammatory signaling factors. Excess free fatty acids and inflammatory factors interfere with intracellular insulin signaling. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of obese adipose tissue and analyze how its inflammation causes insulin resistance. We further discuss the latest clinical research progress on the control of insulin resistance and inflammation resulting from obesity through anti-inflammatory therapy and bariatric surgery. Our review shows that targeted anti-inflammatory therapy is of great significance for obese patients with insulin resistance.Keywords: obesity, adipose tissue, inflammation, insulin resistance, anti-inflammatory therapy