Obesity Induced Inflammation – A Complex Condition

Abstract

The occurrence of overweight and obesity has risen around the world. This rate will
increase in the future without appropriate interventions. Obesity is a condition with increased
percentage of fat mass. Evidence based studies indicate that excess adiposity is accompanied
with a proinflammatory state. This low grade chronic inflammation could initiate and progress
the metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, endothelial dysfunction,
atherosclerosis and several types of cancers.1 There are outstanding differences between
obesity induced inflammation and classic inflammation. Classic inflammation originates from
the intense immune system response to an insult, results in Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) increase
and usually diminishes over time. In contrast, obesity induced inflammation is chronic,
metabolic, moderate, and is associated with a reduced BMR. Some studies suggested the term
“metaflammation” for this inflammatory condition.2
Adipokines are bio factors, which secreted from white adipose tissue. Variety physiologic
and pathophysiologic roles of adipokines have been recognized in inflammation, immunity
and metabolism.3 The interplay between adipokines and inflammatory response may
elucidate the process of diseases. In the obese state, the dysregulation of proinflammatory and
anti-inflammatory adipokines could partly explain the inflammatory mechanism of obesity and
its related consequences.4 Furthermore, adipokines could play a potential role in physiopathology
of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through their endocrine, paracrine and
autocrine activities