Physiological aging: Links among adipose tissue dysfunction, diabetes, and frailty

Michael B. Stout, Jamie N. Justice, Barbara J. Nicklas, James L. Kirkland

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advancing age is associated with progressive declines in physiological function that lead to overt chronic disease, frailty, and eventual mortality. Importantly, age-related physiological changes occur in cellularity, insulinresponsiveness, secretory profiles, and inflammatory status of adipose tissue, leading to adipose tissue dysfunction. Although the mechanisms underlying adipose tissue dysfunction are multifactorial, the consequences result in secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, immune cell infiltration, an accumulation of senescent cells, and an increase in senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These processes synergistically promote chronic sterile inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid redistribution away from subcutaneous adipose tissue. Without intervention, these effects contribute to age-related systemic metabolic dysfunction, physical limitations, and frailty. Thus adipose tissue dysfunction may be a fundamental contributor to the elevated risk of chronic disease, disability, and adverse health outcomes with advancing age.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9-19
Number of pages11
JournalPhysiology
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physiological aging: Links among adipose tissue dysfunction, diabetes, and frailty'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this