Research
Hormonal
Adipose tissue directly secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and acute-phase proteins (PAI-1, haptoglobin) in obesity, contributing to elevated circulating levels and metabolic comorbidities.
Fat tissue is not just inert storage; it actively releases inflammatory proteins that harm metabolic health. Reducing fat mass can reduce this source of inflammation.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In some cases it seems probable that adipocytes contribute substantially to the raised circulating levels of particular pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase reactants in obesity, such as IL-6, PAI-1 and haptoglobin.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple cited studies showing expression and secretion of these proteins from adipocytes.
Source
Adipokines: inflammation and the pleiotropic role of white adipose tissue
Paul Trayhurn et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2004
DOI 10.1079/bjn20041213
narrative_reviewCited 2,181×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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