Adipogenic capacity and the metabolic syndrome

Central obesity is a key feature of the metabolic syndrome; understanding the regulation of abdominal fat mass is important for its treatment. In their commentary, Lansdown, Ludgate and Rees discuss recent research by Park et al. which suggests that an enhanced adipogenic capacity of subcutaneous fat depots may protect against the metabolic syndrome. They discuss the concept of ‘adipose tissue expandability’ which claims that individuals have limited adipose tissue expansion. After this point, lipid is deposited in nonadipose organs leading to insulin resistance and other metabolic problems. The authors commend the elegant study of Park et al., highlighting that it supports the concept that subcutaneous adipogenic potential may be useful in determining metabolic risk.

Read the commentary in Clinical Endocrinology 76 19-20 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04176.x.

Read the article by Park et al. in Clinical Endocrinology 76 59–66 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04141.x.