Figure 2.

Endocrine interactions between liver and adipose tissue and the influence of macronutrients. Under conditions of dietary excess/obesity, adipose tissue adiponectin production declines and several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are upregulated. This can promote inflammation and insulin resistance in both tissues. FGF21 is upregulated in the liver, but its action is inhibited, preventing energy expenditure in adipose tissue and promoting lipolysis. The general contribution of individual macronutrients to the dysfunction of adipose tissue and liver in obesity and NAFLD is shown schematically (see text for details). CHO, carbohydrate; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.