The Evolving Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Obesity and Related Diseases: Recent Insights and Advances.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to understand the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the pathophysiology of obesity and related disorders induced by a high-fat diet (HFD).
Results Summary
The study found that HFD-induced obesity leads to neutrophil infiltration and NET formation in adipose tissue, contributing to inflammation. It also highlighted the role of gut microbiota imbalance and increased intestinal permeability in metabolic inflammation, with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) influencing neutrophil function.
Population
Animal models and humans (review of existing studies).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | obesity | - | - | leads to | #1 |
high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity | increase | adipose tissue (AT) | neutrophils | - | infiltrate | #2 |
formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) | increase | progression of obesity and related diseases | - | - | play a significant role in | #3 |
obesity | increase | imbalance in gut microbiota | - | - | associated with | #4 |
obesity | increase | increased intestinal barrier permeability | - | - | associated with | #5 |
increased intestinal barrier permeability | increase | translocation of live bacteria, bacterial DNA, LPS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines into bloodstream and AT | - | - | resulting in | #6 |
translocation of live bacteria, bacterial DNA, LPS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines | increase | metabolic inflammation | - | - | contributing to | #7 |
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) | neutral | various functions of neutrophils | - | - | can influence | #8 |
Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by persistent low-grade tissue and systemic inflammation. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) leads to stress and dysfunctional adipocytes, along with the infiltration of immune cells, which initiates and sustains inflammation. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to infiltrate AT during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Emerging evidence suggests that the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a significant role in the progression of obesity and related diseases. Additionally, obesity is associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota and increased intestinal barrier permeability, resulting in the translocation of live bacteria, bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and pro-inflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream and AT, thereby contributing to metabolic inflammation. Recent research has also shown that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by gut microbiota, can influence various functions of neutrophils, including their activation, migration, and the generation of inflammatory mediators. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in understanding the role of neutrophils and NET formation in the pathophysiology of obesity and related disorders while also focusing on updated potential therapeutic approaches targeting NETs based on studies conducted in humans and animal models.