Figure 1.

Role of peroxisomes in various organs across lean and obese states. In brown adipose tissue, peroxisome-derived ether lipids promote mitochondrial fission, which increases thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Certain species of plasmalogen, a form of ether lipid, are decreased in serum of obese individuals. Peroxisomal β-oxidation promotes fatty liver through multiple distinct mechanisms and contributes to non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA)-induced lipotoxicity in pancreatic β-cells, likely contributing to impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) from both peroxisomal and mitochondrial β-oxidation induce oxidative stress in adipose tissue of obese individuals, causing systemic insulin resistance.