Different functions of visceral and subcutaneous fat cells

Visceral fat accumulation is known to be an evident clinical index for the insulin resistance related with obesity. Patients with excessive accumulation of visceral fat frequently suffered from metabolic disorder, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance. However, molecular mechanism for the pathogenesis of obesity-accompanied metabolic disorders has not been fully elucidated. It has been clarified that adipocytes in visceral fat area have different functions from subcutaneous fat area, and these differences might contribute the pathological significance of excessive accumulation of visceral fat for the accompanied insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.