Adipose tissue not only serves as an energy store, but is also an active endocrine organ that influences the regulation of many physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune response, and inflammation. Adipocyte secretory products, known as adipokines, play a key role in the aging process, and their dysfunction with age can lead to a variety of metabolic and inflammatory conditions. A better understanding of the impact of adipokines on the aging process may open new therapeutic avenues to improve metabolic health and extend life.
Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ
There are different types of body fat — white, brown and beige — performing various functions in the body:
- White adipose tissue stores energy and secretes pro-inflammatory adipokines.
- Brown adipose tissue generates heat through thermogenesis, which is beneficial for metabolism.
- Beige adipose tissue exhibits characteristics of both types and can transform into brown tissue, supporting metabolic health.
Adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin and visfatin, play a key role in regulating metabolism and inflammation. For example, leptin regulates hunger and energy metabolism, and adiponectin protects against insulin resistance by showing anti-inflammatory properties.
The role of adipokines in the aging process
Aging changes the adipokine secretion profile, which impacts metabolic health:
- Leptin: With age, leptin levels increase, which leads to leptin resistance and thus to energy imbalance and obesity. In the context of aging, leptin becomes a promoter of inflammation, which can accelerate cell aging processes
- Adiponectin: Adiponectin levels typically decline with age, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Changes in adiponectin levels can serve as markers of healthy aging.
- Resistin and visfatin: They promote inflammation and are associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, which impairs the body's metabolic functions.
Dysfunction of adipose tissue with age – so-called adipose tissue
With age, there is a gradual dysfunction of adipose tissue, called adiposenescence, which manifests itself through:
- Aging of adipocytes: Old fat cells secrete higher levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6 Whether TNF-α, which contributes to increased inflammation in the body (inflammaging).
- Increase in the amount of visceral tissue: As we age, fat tissue changes its distribution, which promotes fat accumulation around internal organs, increasing metabolic risk.
Adipokines as biomarkers of aging and longevity
Adipokines can be used as markers of healthy aging. For example, higher levels of adiponectin are associated with better metabolic health and longer life, while elevated leptin levels may indicate the development of obesity and metabolic diseases. Monitoring your adipokine profile can be a key tool in assessing health and longevity.
Changes in the Adipose Tissue Microenvironment and Lifespan
With age, the microenvironment of adipose tissue becomes more pro-inflammatory, which promotes cell aging.Adipose tissue dysfunction is often the result of impaired angiogenesis and the accumulation of oxidative stress, which accelerates aging processes at the cellular level. It is also influenced by changes in the M1/M2 macrophage ratio and disorders in the immune response.
Interventions to improve adipose tissue function
- Diet: Introducing a diet rich in polyphenols (e.g. resveratrol, curcumin) and omega-3 acids can significantly improve adipocyte function.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise increases the thermogenic capacity of adipose tissue and reduces inflammation, which promotes healthy aging.
- Pharmacotherapy: The use of medications such as metformin or thiazolidinediones can modulate the secretion of adipokines, improving metabolic health.
- Intermittent fasting: Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting have anti-inflammatory effects and increase insulin sensitivity, which improves the functioning of adipose tissue
Future Research Directions
New therapies focus on eliminating aging adipocytes (senolytics) and regenerating dysfunctional adipose tissue with cell therapies. This approach may contribute to better metabolic health and longer life.
Conclusions
Adipose tissue is a key regulator of metabolic health, and its dysfunction with age can significantly impact the aging process. Optimizing adipocyte function through diet, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy is a promising strategy in the pursuit of healthy aging and longevity.
Sources:
- Estimating the impact of food choices on life expectancy: A modeling study
- Aging research: A field grows up Hypertrophy and/or Hyperplasia: Dynamics of Adipose Tissue Growth
- Physical activity across midlife and health-related quality of life in Australian women: A target trial emulation using a longitudinal cohort