The adipose organ as a pathophysiological integrating node: a systematic review of its metabolic, endocrine and inflammatory functions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i2.968Keywords:
adipose tissue; adipokines; inflammation; insulin resistance; obesity; metabolic diseasesAbstract
Adipose tissue has evolved from being understood as a simple fat reservoir to being recognized as a complex endocrine organ with intense metabolic, hormonal, and immune activity. This review aimed to gather and examine recent evidence regarding these functions and their contribution to the progression of metabolic diseases. A review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 methodology, and the sources consulted were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science between March and May 2026. Initially, 128 records met the inclusion criteria, and 21 studies were included in the analysis. The findings demonstrate that adipose tissue dysfunction alters its secretory profile, characterized by a reduction in adipokines with anti-inflammatory action and an increase in pro-inflammatory mediators. The reported alterations extend beyond adipose tissue, affecting several organs: liver, skeletal muscle, kidneys, and the cardiovascular system. The common ground for all these alterations lies in adipose tissue, which acts as the integrating node of metabolic pathophysiology. Metabolic risk is directly proportional to the patient's abdominal fat accumulation; therefore, healthcare interventions should go beyond weight loss and focus on restoring endocrine and inflammatory balance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ana Hilda Márquez de González , Yadira Maribel Cáceres Machado , Lourdes Catalina Viñansaca Atancuri , Kevin David Calupina Jácome , Juan Sebastián Piedra Santana
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