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Updated: May 17, 2026

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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
How does high-fat diet induce adipose tissue fibrosis?
Jeffrey E Pessin1, Hyokjoon Kwon
1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Summary
Obesity drives chronic inflammation and adipose tissue fibrosis, contributing to insulin resistance. Targeting these factors may improve metabolic health in obese individuals.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disease research
- Immunology
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- Obesity is a global pandemic and a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic low-grade inflammation in white adipose tissue is a key mediator of insulin resistance in obesity.
- Obesity alters immune cell composition in adipose tissue, promoting inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of adipose tissue fibrosis in obesity-induced insulin resistance.
- To explore the relationship between inflammation and fibrosis in white adipose tissue during obesity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of immunocellular composition in white adipose tissue of obese humans and rodents.
- Assessment of adipose tissue fibrosis in obese models.
- Evaluation of insulin sensitivity following suppression of adipose tissue fibrosis in rodent models.
Main Results:
- Obese humans and rodents exhibit dynamic changes in white adipose tissue immune cell populations, leading to inflammation.
- Adipose tissue fibrosis is significantly enhanced in obese individuals and rodents, correlating with inflammatory responses.
- Inhibition of adipose tissue fibrosis improved insulin sensitivity in rodent models of obesity.
Conclusions:
- Chronic inflammation and adipose tissue fibrosis are interconnected processes contributing to insulin resistance in obesity.
- Adipose tissue fibrosis represents a potential therapeutic target for improving insulin sensitivity in metabolic disorders.
- Understanding the interplay between immune responses and fibrosis in adipose tissue is crucial for combating obesity-related complications.
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