Emerging roles of sympathetic nerves and inflammation in perivascular adipose tissue

Saxton, SN; Withers, SB; Heagerty, AM

Abstract

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is no longer recognised as simply a structural support for the vasculature, and we now know that PVAT releases vasoactive factors which modulate vascular function. Since the discovery of this function in 1991, PVAT research is rapidly growing and the importance of PVAT function in disease is becoming increasingly clear. Obesity is associated with a plethora of vascular conditions; therefore, the study of adipocytes and their effects on the vasculature is vital. PVAT contains an adrenergic system including nerves, adrenoceptors and transporters. In obesity, the autonomic nervous system is dysfunctional; therefore, sympathetic innervation of PVAT may be the key mechanistic link between increased adiposity and vascular disease. In addition, not all obese people develop vascular disease, but a common feature amongst those that do appears to be the inflammatory cell population in PVAT. This review will discuss what is known about sympathetic innervation of PVAT, and the links between nerve activation and inflammation in obesity. In addition, we will examine the therapeutic potential of exercise in sympathetic stimulation of adipose tissue.

Citation

Saxton, S., Withers, S., & Heagerty, A. (2019). Emerging roles of sympathetic nerves and inflammation in perivascular adipose tissue. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 33(2), 245-259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-019-06862-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Feb 12, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 12, 2019
• Deposit Date: Feb 27, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 27, 2019
• Journal: Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0920-3206
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 245-259
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-019-06862-4
• Keywords: Adipose tissue, Exercise, Inflammation, Obesity, Sympathetic nerves
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-019-06862-4
• Related Public URLs: https://link.springer.com/journal/10557