Obesity, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Metabolic Health
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Obesity is a prevalent condition with varied effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Excess visceral fat accumulation is strongly associated with increased CVD risk, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammatory responses.
• Atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory process contributing to CVD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the complex interplay between dysfunctional adipose tissue and inflammation in the context of CVD risk.
• To provide an updated account of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between visceral fat and cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epidemiological and metabolic investigations.
• Analysis of studies focusing on macrophage infiltration in visceral adipose tissue.
• Synthesis of current understanding on adipose tissue-macrophage cross-talk.

Main Results:

• Visceral fat accumulation is a key driver of metabolic and inflammatory perturbations linked to CVD.
• Macrophages infiltrating expanded visceral fat engage in significant cross-talk with adipose tissue.
• Dysfunctional adipose tissue phenotype is intricately linked with inflammatory processes impacting CVD risk.

Conclusions:

• The interaction between adipose tissue dysfunction and inflammation is a critical factor in obesity-related cardiovascular disease risk.
• Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing targeted strategies to mitigate CVD in obese individuals.