Role of VEGFs in metabolic disorders

Abstract

Obesity and metabolic disorders are important public health problems. In this review, the role of vasculature network and VEGF in the adipose tissue maintenance and supplementation is discussed. Angiogenesis is a key process implicated in regulation of tissues homeostasis. Dysregulation of new blood vessels formation may be crucial and contribute to the onset of several pathological conditions, including metabolic syndrome-associated disorders. Adipose tissue homeostasis is fine regulated by vascular network. Vessels support adipose structure. Vasculature modulates the balance between positive and negative regulator factors. In white adipose tissue, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) controls the metabolic activities of adipocytes promoting the trans-differentiation from white to beige phenotype. Trans-differentiation results in an increase of energy consumption. VEGF exerts an opposite effect on brown adipose tissue, where VEGF increases oxygen supply and improves energy expenditure inducing the whitening of adipocytes. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.