Adipocytes, Fat Expansion, and Insulin Resistance

Volume 02, Issue 07
March 2011

MP3

Philipp Scherer, PhD, Director, Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of  Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dal­las, TX

Fat expansion

Hypertrophy: During the first phase of fat expansion, adipocytes enlarge to accommodate increased fat storage.

Hyperplasia: During the second phase of fat expansion, the number of adipocytes increases — a process that is essen­tially irreversible.

Other changes: All expanding tissues require increased vascularization to ensure sufficient oxygenation. If the vascu­larization is insufficient, hypoxia and...