Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Promotes Macrophage Inflammation Through Reduction of Adipocyte‑Derived Adiponectin

Macrophage-driven inflammation in adipose tissue contributes to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced metabolic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Adiponectin (Ad), an abundant adipokine secreted by adipocytes, plays a crucial role in insulin sensitivity. We tested the hypothesis that CIH-induced macrophage inflammation requires adipocyte-derived paracrine signals and that Ad attenuates this process.

Using a co-culture approach, we investigated the roles of adipocytes and Ad in CIH-induced macrophage inflammation. Direct co-culture involved physical interaction between iBMDM macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, while indirect co-culture used adipocyte-conditioned media. After CIH and Ad treatment, inflammatory factor levels in conditioned media were quantified. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

CIH did not directly trigger inflammatory factor release from individually cultured iBMDM cells or 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, CIH significantly increased inflammatory factor release in co-cultured cells. Ad alleviated the pro-inflammatory effect of adipocytes on macrophages under CIH conditions.

CIH disrupts adipocyte function and promotes macrophage inflammation via paracrine mechanisms.