Epidemic inflammation: pondering obesity.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Inflammation is a key factor in diseases like atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.
• Obesity incidence has risen alongside these diseases, with adipose tissue inflammation contributing to obesity's complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking positive energy balance in obesity to chronic inflammation.
• To explore the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates (ROI and RNI) in obesity-related inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on obesity, inflammation, and reactive intermediates.
• Analysis of the dual role of ROI and RNI in homeostasis and host defense.

Main Results:

• Obesity, characterized by positive energy balance, is associated with chronic adipose tissue inflammation.
• Reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates (ROI and RNI) are implicated as drivers of this chronic inflammation.
• The evolved functions of ROI and RNI for signaling and defense may be maladaptively triggered by excess energy intake.

Conclusions:

• Obesity can be viewed as an epidemic inflammation, predisposing to other inflammatory conditions.
• Understanding the link between energy balance and inflammation is crucial for public health.
• Chronic inflammation in obesity may result from the overproduction of ROI and RNI, mimicking responses to infection.