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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013 Jun 12;1842(3):463–472. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.06.003

Figure 1. Two possible models for the stimulation of angiogenesis during adipose tissue growth.

Figure 1

A. Increased caloie consumption results in adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasis, generating areas of tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia, and/or other factors released from the tissue stimulate angiogenesis. Angiogenesis results in mitigation of hypoxia and appropriate tissue architecture and function.

B. Increased calorie consumption results in systemic changes in trophic factors such as insulin, which directly stimulate angiogenesis within adipose tissue. Increased angiogenesis facilitates lipid storage in adipocytes and adipocyte hyperplasia. The simultaneous expansion of adipocytes and vasculature prevents development of hypoxia and metabolic stress.