Phagocytosis: Inflammation-Obesity Relationship

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease with increasing worldwide prevalence. It is characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation in the body, which decreases the patient’s life expectancy and has been associated with a higher incidence of chronic degenerative diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Several investigations have found that the adipose tissue of obese humans and rodents is infiltrated by a high number of macrophages. These cells interact with apoptotic adipocytes, which internalize and accumulate lipids to become foam cells. These processes lead to the release of proinflammatory mediators that promote insulin resistance. In addition, individuals with obesity have higher levels of circulating neutrophils; however, these individuals also have a higher incidence of infection, indicating that the phagocytic function of these cells is affected. This chapter describes several studies that could partly explain the phagocytic mechanisms affected by obesity. Therapeutic alternatives to favor phagocytic capacity are also discussed.