Visceral Fat Signaling describes the complex, adverse endocrine and paracrine communication emanating from the metabolically active adipose tissue situated deep within the abdominal cavity, surrounding the internal organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat secretes a unique and detrimental profile of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which directly contribute to systemic insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation. This aberrant signaling acts as a central driver of cardiometabolic risk. Clinically, reducing visceral fat is a primary target for improving overall hormonal and metabolic health.
Origin
This term is a key concept in metabolic endocrinology and clinical physiology, distinguishing the functional role of visceral adipose tissue from other fat depots. The concept of signaling emphasizes that this tissue is an active endocrine organ, not merely a storage site. Its clinical significance became widely recognized as research highlighted its strong correlation with adverse health outcomes independent of overall body mass index.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves the heightened secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the impaired release of beneficial adipokines like adiponectin. These inflammatory signals are released directly into the portal circulation, bathing the liver and disrupting hepatic insulin signaling and lipid metabolism. This dysregulated hormonal environment creates a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that drives peripheral insulin resistance and contributes to systemic endothelial dysfunction.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.