Fat Distribution and Storage: How Much, Where, and How?
European Journal of Endocrinology (2007) 157 S39–S45
ISSN 0804-4643
Fat distribution and storage: how much, where, and how?
Ram Weiss
The Diabetes Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Hebrew University School of Medicine, PO Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel (Correspondence should be addressed to R Weiss; Email: weissr@hadassah.org.il)
Abstract
Obesity does not necessarily imply disease and similarly obese individuals may manifest obesity-related morbidity or seemingly be in reasonably good health. Recent studies have shown that patterns of lipid partitioning are a major determinant of the metabolic profile and not just obesity per se. The underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of lipid deposition in the visceral compartment and in insulinsensitive tissues are described. Increased intramyocellular lipid deposition impairs the insulin signal transduction pathway and is associated with insulin resistance. Increased hepatic lipid deposition is similarly associated with the majority of the components of the insulin resistance syndrome. The roles of increased circulating fatty acids in conditions of insulin resistance and the typical pro-inflammatory milieu of specific obesity patterns are provided. Insights into the patterns of lipid storage within the cell are provided along with their relation to changes in insulin sensitivity and weight loss. European Journal of Endocrinology 157 S39–S45
The prevalence of obesity among adults as well as children is on the rise and gaining epidemic proportions (1). There is an overall consensus based on numerous longitudinal studies that obesity poses a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, alterations in glucose metabolism, certain cancers, intellectual deterioration, and reduces life expectancy. Despite these observations, a significant proportion of obese individuals can achieve longevity without developing any of the morbidities previously mentioned. One hypothesis to
ISSN 0804-4643
Fat distribution and storage: how much, where, and how?
Ram Weiss
The Diabetes Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Hebrew University School of Medicine, PO Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel (Correspondence should be addressed to R Weiss; Email: weissr@hadassah.org.il)
Abstract
Obesity does not necessarily imply disease and similarly obese individuals may manifest obesity-related morbidity or seemingly be in reasonably good health. Recent studies have shown that patterns of lipid partitioning are a major determinant of the metabolic profile and not just obesity per se. The underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of lipid deposition in the visceral compartment and in insulinsensitive tissues are described. Increased intramyocellular lipid deposition impairs the insulin signal transduction pathway and is associated with insulin resistance. Increased hepatic lipid deposition is similarly associated with the majority of the components of the insulin resistance syndrome. The roles of increased circulating fatty acids in conditions of insulin resistance and the typical pro-inflammatory milieu of specific obesity patterns are provided. Insights into the patterns of lipid storage within the cell are provided along with their relation to changes in insulin sensitivity and weight loss. European Journal of Endocrinology 157 S39–S45
The prevalence of obesity among adults as well as children is on the rise and gaining epidemic proportions (1). There is an overall consensus based on numerous longitudinal studies that obesity poses a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, alterations in glucose metabolism, certain cancers, intellectual deterioration, and reduces life expectancy. Despite these observations, a significant proportion of obese individuals can achieve longevity without developing any of the morbidities previously mentioned. One hypothesis to
References: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY (2007) 157 Fat distribution and storage