Fat cell metabolism: insulin, fatty acids, and renin

Risk factors contributing to the potential inter-relationship between obesity and hypertension include insulin, fatty acids, and angiotensin II. All of these mediators are either produced by or act on adipocytes, influence fat cell metabolism, and have effects on the cardiovascular system. Moreover, these three mediators have several potential sites for positive feedback interaction, thus exacerbating the influence of any single risk factor. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the influence of insulin, fatty acids, and angiotensin II on fat cell metabolism. Special emphasis is placed on potential adipose-related mechanisms of these factors, which would predictably elevate blood pressure. Given the prevalence of obesity and hypertension in the American population, delineation of potential pharmacologic targets that would influence both of these disease states is of primary importance to the successful treatment of these diseases of the metabolic syndrome X.