Adipose biology, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease

Guest edited by Professor Ahmed Fawzi El-Yazbi and Professor Gavin Oudit.

Adipose biology research has grown rapidly offering new insights into the physiological and pathophysiological roles of different body fat depots. This Thematic Collection of Clinical Science brings a well-rounded timely view of the recent development in this field. We highlight the state-of-the-art on adipose tissue function/dysfunction in the context of cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies. A number of comprehensive articles tackle several aspects of this interplay in health and disease. These encompass an updated view of the signaling pathways and the various receptors regulating adipose tissue function, as well as novel insights into the role of different dietary components and food supplements in the regulation of adiposity and contribution to metabolic disease. The impact of adipokine alteration and adipose tissue senesce on the pathogenesis of metabolic disease is also covered together with the introduction of a new possible role for bone marrow adipocytes in the development of diabetes mellitus. Several mechanistic ties between adipose tissue inflammation and cardiovascular disorders including atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy are put forth, in addition to potential pathways linking adipose tissue dysregulation to renal disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Gender differences in adipose impairment are also examined. Intervention with novel molecular targets involved in adipose tissue inflammation was discussed as potential disease modifying therapies to reduce or reverse cardiovascular complications of diabetes and obesity. Gaps in current knowledge were highlighted to help guide future research.