Increased fibrosis and angiogenesis in subcutaneous gluteal adipose tissue in nascent metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is globally a common disorder that predisposes to both diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is a paucity of data on fibrosis and angiogenesis in adipose tissue (AT) in patients with nascent MetS uncomplicated by diabetes or CVD. Hence, we assayed various indices of fibrosis and angiogenesis in subcutaneous AT (SAT).


METHODS
In both patients with MetS and matched controls, we determined fibrosis and the densities of CD31, VEGF and Angiopoietin (Angio) 2 and 1 by immunohistochemistry in gluteal SAT.


RESULTS
The fibrosis score was significantly increased in SAT of Met S. Also, both CD31 and VEGF densities were significantly increased. Surprisingly, Angio-2 was not increased and the ratio of Angio2:1 was decreased. Both indices of fibrosis and angiogenesis correlated with biomediators of inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, we report increased fibrosis and paradoxical increased angiogenesis in gluteal SAT and speculate that the increased angiogenesis is a protective mechanism in mitigating further adipose tissue dysregulation in this depot.
Department of Physiology and Metabolism, California North-state University, College of Medicine, 9700, West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, United States; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mather, CA, United States. Electronic address: kjialal@gmail.com.
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Jialal
Division of Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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B
Adams-Huet
Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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Major
Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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Devaraj
D000328:Adult; D002081:Buttocks / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology*
Adipose tissue; Angiogenesis; Fibrosis; Inflammation; Metabolic syndrome