Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 29 S41.2

ICEECE2012 Symposia The endocrinology of adipose tissue (3 abstracts)

‘Obesity and insulin resistance: the cross-talk macrophage-adipocyte view’

J. Fernandez-Real


H Girona, Girona, Spain.


Background: Adipocytes and macrophages resident in adipose tissue produce and secrete a variety of biologically active mediators (adipokines) that contribute to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Malfunction of adipocytes may play an important role in the development of low-grade inflammatory state associated with obesity.

Objectives: Describe alternative ways to adipokines with potential impact on the development of this inflammatory state associated with obesity.

Methods: Review of recent contributions in the field.

Results: There are new circulating markers that can help identify the development of inflammation and insulin resistance in obese subjects. The study of some components of the immune system and of the complement system helps to better understand their relationship with carbohydrate metabolism. Examination of the bacterial flora composition sheds new ways in this regard as well as the shortening of telomere length in cells from adipose tissue. Finally, a detailed study of microRNAs present in adipose tissue is a relatively unexplored field of knowledge.

Conclusions: The exploration of these tools could provide new therapeutic approaches in insulin resistance associated with inflammation.

Discussion: The balance between different inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory systemic level should be further explored to better understand the different eukaryote and prokaryote biological processes involved in a complex phenotype such as insulin resistance.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Volume 29

15th International & 14th European Congress of Endocrinology

European Society of Endocrinology 

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