Figure 3.

Obesity-associated impaired energy metabolism in white adipocytes. In lean WAT, high mitochondrial mass and activity in adipocytes allow for high metabolic flexibility. OXPHOS and glycolysis are adjusted in response to hormonal regulation (insulin and adrenergic activation). Visceral adipocytes display lower mitochondrial activity than subcutaneous adipocytes (normalize per cell and mitochondrial content). Contrasting lean WAT, obese WAT is characterized by lower mitochondrial mass and activity, impaired glucose metabolism and dampened hormonal responses. Obesity overall renders adipocytes metabolically inflexible.