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Inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity

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Abstract

Obesity, in particular visceral obesity, has strong associations with cardiovascular disease and is related to many factors that are constituents of the metabolic syndrome. Increasing evidence suggests that features of the metabolic syndrome, including visceral obesity, are associated with a low-grade inflammatory state. Indeed, visceral fat is a source of several molecules, such as leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 6, that are collectively called adipokines. All of them may induce a proinflammatory state and oxidative damage, leading to initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Reducedenergy diets might represent an effective and healthful approach for long-term weight loss in patients with metabolic syndrome by reducing the underlying inflammatory condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Excellence on Aging, Via colle dell’Ara, 66013, Chieti, Italy

    Giovanni Davì MD

Authors
  1. Patrizia Ferroni MD, PhD
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  2. Stefani Basili MD
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  3. Angela Falco MD
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  4. Giovanni Davì MD
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Ferroni, P., Basili, S., Falco, A. et al. Inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity. Curr Atheroscler Rep 6, 424–431 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-004-0082-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-004-0082-x

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