Research

Hormonal

Hypertrophic white adipocytes in obesity secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β) and adipokines (leptin, resistin) that induce local and systemic insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, leading to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

If you are obese, your fat tissue is actively sending signals that promote inflammation and insulin resistance, which worsens your metabolic health. This is not just 'extra weight'; it is a biologically active state. Addressing obesity through sustainable lifestyle changes can reduce the secretion of these harmful adipokines and improve metabolic markers.

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Hypertrophic adipocytes show pro-inflammatory potential and promote insulin resistance. Cells of this type synthesise high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1 beta (IL1β), interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)... The resultant local inflammation promotes local insulin resistance. A similar mechanism is seen peripherally, leading to systemic inflammation and subsequently to systemic insulin resistance.
Katarzyna Zorena et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2020

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing numerous clinical studies, population studies, and mechanistic experiments, providing strong observational and mechanistic evidence.

Source

Adipokines and Obesity. Potential Link to Metabolic Disorders and Chronic Complications

Katarzyna Zorena et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2020

DOI 10.3390/ijms21103570

narrative_reviewCited 406×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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