Cited by 197Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesDiet, Metabolism, and DiseaseDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 299 of the 307 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 191 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Nutrition, insulin resistance and dysfunctional adipose tissue determine the different components of metabolic syndrome

Open access
Paniagua, Juan Antonio·2016·World Journal of Diabetes

Abstract

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of body fat that may be harmful to health. Today, obesity is a major public health problem, affecting in greater or lesser proportion all demographic groups. Obesity is estimated by body mass index (BMI) in a clinical setting, but BMI reports neither body composition nor the location of excess body fat. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes accounted for approximately 65% of all deaths, and adiposity and mainly abdominal adiposity are associated with all these disorders. Adipose tissue could expand to inflexibility levels. Then, adiposity is associated with a state of low-grade chronic inflammation, with increased tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 release, which interfere with adipose cell differentiation, and the action pattern of adiponectin and leptin until the adipose tissue begins to be dysfunctional. In this state the subject presents insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, probably the first step of a dysfunctional metabolic system. Subsequent to central obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, hypertension and fatty liver are grouped in the so-called metabolic syndrome (MetS). In subjects with MetS an energy balance is critical to maintain a healthy body weight, mainly limiting the intake of high energy density foods (fat). However, high-carbohydrate rich (CHO) diets increase postprandial peaks of insulin and glucose. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are also increased, which interferes with reverse cholesterol transport lowering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, CHO-rich diets could move fat from peripheral to central deposits and reduce adiponectin activity in peripheral adipose tissue. All these are improved with monounsaturated fatty acid-rich diets. Lastly, increased portions of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, and complement the healthy diet that is recommended in patients with MetS.

Overview

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review argues that central obesity, dysfunctional adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and dietary macronutrient quality jointly determine the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). It synthesizes evidence that MUFA-rich, low-GI/high-fiber, and long-chain n-3 PUFA diets improve insulin sensitivity, lipids, adipokines, and MetS prevalence.

Key findings

  • Adipose tissue dysfunction links central obesity to MetS: low-grade inflammation with increased TNF-α and IL-6, decreased adiponectin, increased leptin/leptin resistance, ectopic fat/lipotoxicity, and insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia; MetS clusters central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, hypertension, and fatty liver.
  • High-carbohydrate diets increase postprandial insulin and glucose, raise triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, lower HDL-C (approximately 11% in one cited study), shift fat centrally, and reduce adiponectin; MUFA-rich diets improve insulin sensitivity, postprandial glucose/insulin, GLP-1, and HDL-C. In LIPGENE, an LFHCC n-3 diet reduced MetS prevalence by 20.5% vs HSFA (10.6%), HMUFA (12%), or LFHCC (10.4%) diets.
  • Fiber and omega-3 effects: the ADA recommends 20-35 g/d dietary fiber; higher soluble fiber improves glycemic control, hyperinsulinemia, and plasma lipids in type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin may increase by 14%-60% with seafood/omega-3, 18%-48% with weight loss plus activity, and 60%-115% with fiber supplementation.
  • Epidemiology: MetS prevalence rose from 28% (NHANES 1988-1994) to 32% (NHANES 1999-2000); it is estimated at 11% of men and 18% of women aged 20-39, rising to 40% of men and 46% of women older than 60. Deaths from CVD, cancer, and diabetes accounted for approximately 65% of all deaths; obesity may account for up to 14% of cancer in men and 20% in women, and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² increases cancer death risk by 52% in men and 62% in women.

Methods

  • Narrative review; no systematic search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, or meta-analytic methods are stated. It synthesizes mechanistic, epidemiological, and clinical trial literature on obesity, adipose tissue, insulin resistance, MetS, and nutrition.
  • Cites specific human intervention studies, including KANWU (162 healthy subjects, 3 mo, SAFA vs MUFA diets), LIPGENE (MetS subjects n = 472 from 8 European countries, 12 wk, four diets), and small postprandial/gene-expression studies (e.g., 11 insulin-resistant subjects; NAFLD n = 9). No new primary data collection is described beyond summarizing prior work.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: epidemiological evidence on fat amount/type and weight gain is contradictory; residual confounding (e.g., cholesterol-lowering therapy, trans fat intake, limited variation in SFA and PUFA intake) may explain findings. Intervention studies on GI/GL have not had clarifying results, and more specific dietary fat modifications may be necessary, perhaps with dietary restriction and weight loss.
  • Evident from the text: this is a narrative review without systematic methods or formal risk-of-bias assessment; conclusions rely on heterogeneous cited studies, some very small (n = 9-15) and mechanistic, so causal inference from observational associations is limited.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.4239/wjd.v7.i19.483

Cites

299 of 299 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

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Show all 70 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 74
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 51
103 of 103
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    High-carbohydrate rich diets increase postprandial peaks of insulin and glucose.

    “High-carbohydrate rich (CHO) diets increase postprandial peaks of insulin and glucose.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are increased by high-carbohydrate rich diets, which interferes with reverse cholesterol transport lowering HDL cholesterol.

    “Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are also increased, which interferes with reverse cholesterol transport lowering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    CHO-rich diets could move fat from peripheral to central deposits and reduce adiponectin activity in peripheral adipose tissue.

    “In addition, CHO-rich diets could move fat from peripheral to central deposits and reduce adiponectin activity in peripheral adipose tissue.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    MUFA-rich diets improve the effects of CHO-rich diets on postprandial insulin and glucose, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, HDL cholesterol, fat distribution and adiponectin activity.

    “All these are improved with monounsaturated fatty acid-rich diets.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Increased portions of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids decrease triglyceride levels.

    “Lastly, increased portions of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, and complement the healthy diet that is recommended in patients with MetS.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The type of fat consumed could be more decisive than the total amount of fat consumed for changes in body composition and distribution of adipose tissue.

    “However, it is well established that the type of fat consumed could be more decisive than the total amount of fat consumed when we only look at changes in body composition and distribution of adipose tissue.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Insulin resistance is a feature of MetS and is associated with other components of the syndrome.

    “In addition, insulin resistance is a feature of MetS and is associated with other components of the syndrome.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The beneficial impact of fat quality on insulin sensitivity was not seen in individuals with a high fat intake (> 37E%).

    “The beneficial impact of fat quality on insulin sensitivity (IS) was not seen in individuals with a high fat intake (> 37E%).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Glycemic load, excess fructose, and amount of dietary fiber influence various components of MetS.

    “Other dietary factors that can influence various components of MetS, like postprandial glycemic and insulin levels, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C levels, weight regulation and body composition, as well as fatty liver, are the glycemic load (GL) and the excess of fructose, and amount of dietary fiber content of food eaten.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Increased levels of triglycerides associated with hypoalphalipoproteinemia are a feature of insulin resistance and MetS, and increase cardiovascular risk regardless of LDL cholesterol levels.

    “The increased levels of triglycerides associated with hypoalphalipoproteinemia are a feature of insulin resistance and MetS, and increase cardiovascular risk regardless of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A higher intake of dietary fiber, particularly soluble type, above the level recommended by the ADA improves glycemic control, decreases hyperinsulinemia, and lowers plasma lipid concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    “However, more beneficial effects of a higher intake of dietary fiber, particularly of the soluble type, above the level recommended by the ADA, were reported to improve glycemic control, decreases hyperinsulinemia, and lower plasma lipid concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The prevalence of enlarged waist circumference, hypertension and hypertriacylglycerolemia were reduced after the isoenergetic low fat high complex carbohydrates supplemented with ω-3 diet.

    “Lastly, the prevalence of enlarged waist circumference, hypertension and hypertriacylglycerolemia were reduced after the isoenergetic low fat high complex carbohydrates (LFHCC) supplemented with ω-3 diet.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The prevalence of MetS fell by 20.5% after LFHCC ω-3 diet compared with the high saturated fatty acids (10.6%), high MUFA (12%) or LFHCC (10.4%) diets.

    “Thus, the prevalence of MetS fell by 20.5% after LFHCC ω-3 diet compared with the high saturated fatty acids (HSFA) (10.6%), high MUFA (HMUFA) (12%) or LFHCC (10.4%) diets.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    An equilibrate calory diet, low in animal fat, sugar and fructose, high in MUFA and PUFA, fresh vegetables high in fiber, and with moderate complex carbohydrates portions, could improve weight loss, lower postprandial glucose and insulin levels, and decrease triglyceride levels, and eventually increase HDL cholesterol.

    “In summary, an equilibrate calory diet, low in animal fat, sugar and fructose, high in MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), fresh vegetables high in fiber, and with moderate complex carbohydrates portions, could improve weight loss, lower postprandial glucose and insulin levels, and triglyceride levels could also decrease, and, eventually, increased HDL cholesterol levels are observed.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Adipose tissue can expand to levels of inflexibility.

    “Adipose tissue could expand to levels of inflexibility.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most diets in the world provide enough ω-6 and too little ω-3, with an increased ratio ω-6:ω-3.

    “Today, most diets in the world provide enough ω-6 and too little ω-3, with an increased ratio ω-6:ω-3.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    At what point adipose tissue begins to fail is determined by genetic and epigenetic factors.

    “At what point the adipose tissue begins to fail is likely to be determined by genetic and epigenetic factors.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The link between obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities is better related to the topography, anatomical distribution and/or functional peculiarities of adipose tissue, and this is more relevant in patients with relatively normal weight.

    “On top of all these factors, the link between obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities seems to be better related to the topography, anatomical distribution and/or the functional peculiarities of the adipose tissue, a phenomenon which seems to be more relevant in patients with relatively normal weight (Figures 2 and 3).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many men with insulin resistance, T2D or MetS present low testosterone concentrations with high or low gonadotropins (25% and 4%, respectively).

    “Finally, many men with insulin resistance, T2D or MetS present low testosterone concentrations with high or low gonadotropins (25% and 4%, respectively).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most patients with features of MetS have increased blood pressure.

    “Last, most patients with features of MetS have increased blood pressure.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Central obesity and/or insulin resistance are the main causative requirements for metabolic syndrome.

    “While the pathogenesis of MetS and each of its components is complex, multifactorial and not well established, either central obesity and insulin resistance or both are recognized as the main causative requirements.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most components of metabolic syndrome are correlated with a sedentary lifestyle.

    “Most components of MetS are correlated with a sedentary lifestyle.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Metabolic syndrome prevalence and each of its components is directly related with age in most people on the world.

    “MetS prevalence and each of its components is directly related with age in most people on the world.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    High saturated fat and sugar diets are implicated in the development of fatty liver.

    “Several mechanisms have implicated high SAT and sugar diets with the development of fatty liver.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    High oxidative stress is found in MetS patients, shown by raised activity of NADPH-oxidase and reduced expression of antioxidant enzymes in adipose tissue.

    “Moreover, a high oxidative stress is found in MetS patients, which is showed by a raised activity of NADPH-oxidase and a reduced expression of antioxidant enzymes in the adipose tissue.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    MetS patients normally present a higher inflammatory state in adipose tissue, which is increased during the postprandial response, independent of the fat eaten.

    “Last, MetS patients normally present higher inflammatory state in AT, which is increased during postprandial response, which was seen with independence of the fat eaten.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    ER stress is related to activation of inflammation and stress networks, closely linked to oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

    “ER stress has been related to many effects of disability cellular that include activation of inflammation and stress networks, closely linked to turn on with by oxidative stress and insulin resistance.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Semi-skimmed milk and derivatives and eggs provide proteins of high biological value, provide some essential minerals, and are reasonably low in fat.

    “Both nutrients provide proteins of high biological value, provide some needs in essential minerals, and are reasonably low in fat.”
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  • Body-fat prediction formula conflicts with stated age- and sex-specific values

    Minor

    At BMI 30, the stated formula gives 35.2% body fat for a 20-year-old man and 24.4% for a 20-year-old woman. The preceding sentence instead gives approximately 30% for men and 40% for women at that age; the discrepancy for women is especially large.

1 of 1

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [2]Hill JO Pagliassotti MJ Peters JC Bouchard C Nongenetic determinants of obesity and fat topography. Genetic determinants of obesity 1994 Boca Raton, FL CRC Press 35 48
  2. [198]Stern MP LeRoith D Taylor SI Olefsky JM Impaired glucose tolerance: Risk factor or diagnostic category. Diabetes Mellitus. A Fundamental and Clinical Text 1996 Philadelphia Lippincott-Raven Publishers 467 474
  3. [285]Hotamisligil GS Inflammation, TNF-alpha and insulin resistance 2003 Philadelphia, PA, United States Lippincott-Raven Publishers

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Metadata

Authors
Paniagua, J. A.
Affiliations
Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (ES)
Corresponding author
Paniagua, Juan Antonio
Venue
World Journal of Diabetes
Published
2016
Volume
7
Issue
19
Pages
483
ISSN
1948-9358 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2555771689
Cited by
197
References
307
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 18
FWCI
2.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • World Journal of Diabetes (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, abdominal fat, adipose tissue inflammation, adiponectin, leptin, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, hepatic steatosis, high-carbohydrate diet, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, reverse cholesterol transport, energy balance

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