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Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Adipose Morphology: a Critical Factor in Regulation of Human Metabolic Diseases and Adipose Tissue Dysfunction
Fangcen Liu1, Jielei He2, Hongdong Wang2
1Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Emerging evidence highlights that dysfunction of adipose tissue contributes to impaired insulin sensitivity and systemic metabolic deterioration in obese state. Of note, adipocyte hypertrophy serves as a critical event which associates closely with adipose dysfunction. An increase in cell size exacerbates hypoxia and inflammation as well as excessive collagen deposition, finally leading to metabolic dysregulation. Specific mechanisms of adipocyte hypertrophy include dysregulated differentiation and maturation of preadipocytes, enlargement of lipid droplets, and abnormal adipocyte osmolarity sensors. Also, weight loss therapies exert profound influence on adipocyte size. Here, we summarize the critical role of adipocyte hypertrophy in the development of metabolic disturbances. Future studies are required to establish a standard criterion of size measurement to better clarify the impact of adipocyte hypertrophy on changes in metabolic homeostasis.
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