A state of cellular dysfunction and damage induced by the chronic accumulation of excess lipids, particularly saturated fatty acids and their metabolites, in non-adipose tissues such as the liver, muscle, heart, and pancreas. This accumulation interferes with normal cellular processes, leading to insulin resistance, inflammation, and eventual organ failure. Lipotoxicity is a key pathological driver in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Origin
The term is a compound of ‘lipo,’ from the Greek lipos meaning “fat,” and ‘toxicity,’ from the Greek toxikon meaning “poison.” It was coined to describe the damaging effects of ectopic lipid deposition, distinguishing it from simple obesity. The concept highlights that the location of fat storage is often more detrimental to metabolic health than the total amount of adipose tissue.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the overload of fatty acid oxidation pathways in non-adipose cells, leading to the accumulation of toxic lipid intermediates like ceramides and diacylglycerols. These metabolites interfere with insulin signaling cascades, promoting insulin resistance and inhibiting the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. This cellular stress triggers inflammatory responses and apoptosis, directly linking metabolic dysfunction to organ damage.
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