Obesity and Inflammation

Abstract

Obesity is determined by excessive fat storage in adipose tissue with BMI≧25. Diagnostic criteria of “Obesity Disease” are follows; a medical condition associated with obesity-related diseases or a high probability of their development and, from a medical point requires weight reduction. “Obesity Disease” is treated as a clinical entity in Japan.
In healthy adipose tissue, small adipocytes secrete anti-inflammatory adipokines. But, excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, especially in visceral adipose tissue, secretes pro-inflammatory adipokines, and adipocytes undergo apoptosis. Macrophages invade the area around the apoptotic cells and cause inflammation. The inflammatory foci secrete pro-inflammatory adipokines more and more. Chronic spread of pro-inflammatory adipokines causes lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and leads to the development of atherosclerotic diseases and cancer. Viral infections acutely spread large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines from visceral adipose tissue, causing a cytokine storm, making obese individuals more susceptible to severe disease.
Inflammation caused by fat accumulation is a threat to obese people both chronically and acutely. Obese people need weight reduction treatment to prevent the onset and aggravation of obesity-related diseases, and viral infection.

graphical abstract