summary
Adipose tissue is the most plastic tissue in all multicellular organisms, being constantly
remodelled along with weight gain and weight loss. Expansion of adipose tissue must
be accompanied by that of its vascularisation, through processes of angiogenesis,
whereas weight loss is associated with the regression of blood vessels. Adipose tissue
is thus among the tissues that have the highest angiogenic capacities. These changes
of the vascular bed occur through close interactions of adipocytes with blood vessels,
and involve several angiogenic factors. This review presents studies that are the
basis of our understanding of the regulation of adipose tissue angiogenesis. The growth
factors that are involved in the processes of angiogenesis and vascular regression
are discussed with a focus on their potential modulation for the treatment of obesity.
The hypothesis that inflammation of adipose tissue and insulin resistance could be
related to altered angiogenesis in adipose tissue is presented, as well as the beneficial
or deleterious effect of inhibition of adipose tissue angiogenesis on metabolic diseases.
Keywords
Angiogenesis and inhibitors - obesity - metabolic disorders