Adiposity and Non-Tradional Lipid Biomarkers, a Look into the Future

**145**

kg/m2

**Chapter 9**

**Abstract**

will be summarized.

**1. Introduction**

obesity, leptin, APOE, endocrine, brain

Dyslipidemias

*Deborah R. Gustafson*

Adipose Tissue Complexities in

Adipose tissue is the largest organ in the human body and, in excess, contributes to dyslipidemias and the dysregulation of other vascular and metabolic processes. Adipose tissue is heterogeneous, comprised of several cell types based on morphology, cellular age, and endocrine and paracrine function. Adipose tissue depots are also regional, primarily due to sex differences and genetic variation. Adipose tissue is also characterized as subcutaneous vs. visceral. In addition, fatty deposits exist outside of adipose tissue, such as those surrounding the heart, or as infiltration of skeletal muscle. This review focuses on adipose tissue and its contribution to dyslipidemias. Dyslipidemias are defined as circulating blood lipid levels that are too high or altered. Lipids include both traditional and nontraditional species. Leaving aside traditional definitions, adipose tissue contributes to dyslipidemias in a myriad of ways. To address a small portion of this topic, we reviewed (a) adipose tissue location and cell types, (b) body composition, (c) endocrine adipose, (d) the fat-brain axis, and (e) genetic susceptibility. The influence of these complex aspects of adipose tissue on dyslipidemias and human health, illustrating that, once again, that adipose tissue is a quintessential, multifunctional tissue of the human body,

**Keywords:** adipose tissue, adipocyte, body weight, body mass index, lipidomics,

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that by 2050, 20% of the world's population will be age 60 years and older [1]. Correspondingly, cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases are the top 10 most common causes of death [2]. Ischemic heart disease is first, followed by stroke (second); Alzheimer's disease (fifth), the disease of the latest life; and type 2 diabetes (T2D, sixth). Vascular diseases comprise four of the top 10 causes of death because of their association with pandemic obesity [2]. Adipose tissue (AT) is the largest organ in the human body. Adiposity (amount of AT) is often classified as overweight and obese using body mass index (BMI,

) or Waist Circumference (WC). Over the life course and with aging, BMI is dynamic and evolves in relation to physical growth, puberty, reproductive status, as well as nutritional health and adequacy. The life course evolution of BMI represents an evolutionary metabolism. As such, potential relationships between BMI and accompanying vascular risk factors, such as blood lipid levels, change over the life course and in association with disease. BMI and central adiposity cut points for overweight and obesity as well as for hyperlipidemias (the most common form of

## **Chapter 9**
