The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review
Obesity, a global health concern of increasing significance, is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation (LGCI) that significantly contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This narrative review explores the intricate pathophysiological mechanisms driving LGCI in obesity, emphasizing the role of...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
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| author | Elvira Meni Maria Gkrinia Andrej Belančić |
| author_facet | Elvira Meni Maria Gkrinia Andrej Belančić |
| author_sort | Elvira Meni Maria Gkrinia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Obesity, a global health concern of increasing significance, is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation (LGCI) that significantly contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This narrative review explores the intricate pathophysiological mechanisms driving LGCI in obesity, emphasizing the role of adipose tissue, immune cell activation, and inflammatory signaling pathways. Hypertrophic adipocytes and infiltrating immune cells, particularly macrophages, release a cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation. These mediators disrupt insulin signaling through JNK and NF-κB pathway activation, leading to systemic insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, gut dysbiosis and other metabolic disorders. The review further discusses therapeutic strategies to mitigate obesity-related LGCI, focusing on lifestyle interventions, nutritional approaches, and pharmacological agents. Physical activity, specific nutrients, and dietary patterns can modulate inflammatory responses, while anti-obesogenic medicines and bariatric procedures offer additional avenues for intervention. By understanding and addressing the root causes of inflammation in obesity, healthcare professionals can develop targeted strategies to improve metabolic health and overall well-being of individuals with obesity and, ultimately, prevent and manage the wide-ranging complications associated with this condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a5dff4bf28bb47339285fef4a7baebd1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a5dff4bf28bb47339285fef4a7baebd12025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-05-0147535710.3390/cimb47050357The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative ReviewElvira Meni Maria Gkrinia0Andrej Belančić1Independent Researcher, 11741 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, CroatiaObesity, a global health concern of increasing significance, is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation (LGCI) that significantly contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This narrative review explores the intricate pathophysiological mechanisms driving LGCI in obesity, emphasizing the role of adipose tissue, immune cell activation, and inflammatory signaling pathways. Hypertrophic adipocytes and infiltrating immune cells, particularly macrophages, release a cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation. These mediators disrupt insulin signaling through JNK and NF-κB pathway activation, leading to systemic insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, gut dysbiosis and other metabolic disorders. The review further discusses therapeutic strategies to mitigate obesity-related LGCI, focusing on lifestyle interventions, nutritional approaches, and pharmacological agents. Physical activity, specific nutrients, and dietary patterns can modulate inflammatory responses, while anti-obesogenic medicines and bariatric procedures offer additional avenues for intervention. By understanding and addressing the root causes of inflammation in obesity, healthcare professionals can develop targeted strategies to improve metabolic health and overall well-being of individuals with obesity and, ultimately, prevent and manage the wide-ranging complications associated with this condition.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/357obesitychronic inflammationtherapeutic interventions |
| spellingShingle | Elvira Meni Maria Gkrinia Andrej Belančić The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review Current Issues in Molecular Biology obesity chronic inflammation therapeutic interventions |
| title | The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | The Mechanisms of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | mechanisms of chronic inflammation in obesity and potential therapeutic strategies a narrative review |
| topic | obesity chronic inflammation therapeutic interventions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/357 |
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