- Adipose tissue functions as a metabolic organ that regulates processes throughout the body through secretion of hormones and metabolites.
- In a healthy state, adipose tissue expands through hyperplasia of small adipocytes and maintains low inflammation.
- Metabolically unhealthy obesity is characterized by remodeling of adipose tissue, with increased hypertrophy of adipocytes, changing levels of secreted factors, and elevated inflammation. This stressed state of adipose tissue contributes to insulin resistance and other metabolic complications.