Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis

The prevalence of being overweight and obese has been expanded dramatically in recent years worldwide. Obesity usually occurs when the energetic introit overtakes energy expenditure from metabolic and physical activity, leading to fat accumulation mainly in the visceral depots. Excessive fat accumul...

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Main Authors: Lucilla Crudele, Elena Piccinin, Antonio Moschetta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Nutrients
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2101
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author Lucilla Crudele
Elena Piccinin
Antonio Moschetta
author_facet Lucilla Crudele
Elena Piccinin
Antonio Moschetta
author_sort Lucilla Crudele
collection DOAJ
description The prevalence of being overweight and obese has been expanded dramatically in recent years worldwide. Obesity usually occurs when the energetic introit overtakes energy expenditure from metabolic and physical activity, leading to fat accumulation mainly in the visceral depots. Excessive fat accumulation represents a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer. Adiposity, chronic low-grade inflammation, and hyperinsulinemia are essential factors of obesity that also play a crucial role in tumor onset. In recent years, several strategies have been pointed toward boundary fat accumulation, thus limiting the burden of cancer attributable to obesity. While remodeling fat via adipocytes browning seems a tempting prospect, lifestyle interventions still represent the main pathway to prevent cancer and enhance the efficacy of treatments. Specifically, the Mediterranean Diet stands out as one of the best dietary approaches to curtail visceral adiposity and, therefore, cancer risk. In this Review, the close relationship between obesity and cancer has been investigated, highlighting the biological mechanisms at the basis of this link. Finally, strategies to remodel fat, including browning and lifestyle interventions, have been taken into consideration as a major perspective to limit excess body weight and tumor onset.
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spelling doaj.art-2e59751963e54cf1976e4cea42979e8e2023-11-22T00:51:04ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-06-01136210110.3390/nu13062101Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and PrognosisLucilla Crudele0Elena Piccinin1Antonio Moschetta2Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyThe prevalence of being overweight and obese has been expanded dramatically in recent years worldwide. Obesity usually occurs when the energetic introit overtakes energy expenditure from metabolic and physical activity, leading to fat accumulation mainly in the visceral depots. Excessive fat accumulation represents a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer. Adiposity, chronic low-grade inflammation, and hyperinsulinemia are essential factors of obesity that also play a crucial role in tumor onset. In recent years, several strategies have been pointed toward boundary fat accumulation, thus limiting the burden of cancer attributable to obesity. While remodeling fat via adipocytes browning seems a tempting prospect, lifestyle interventions still represent the main pathway to prevent cancer and enhance the efficacy of treatments. Specifically, the Mediterranean Diet stands out as one of the best dietary approaches to curtail visceral adiposity and, therefore, cancer risk. In this Review, the close relationship between obesity and cancer has been investigated, highlighting the biological mechanisms at the basis of this link. Finally, strategies to remodel fat, including browning and lifestyle interventions, have been taken into consideration as a major perspective to limit excess body weight and tumor onset.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2101obesitycancervisceral adiposityMediterranean dietfastinglifestyle interventions
spellingShingle Lucilla Crudele
Elena Piccinin
Antonio Moschetta
Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
Nutrients
obesity
cancer
visceral adiposity
Mediterranean diet
fasting
lifestyle interventions
title Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
title_full Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
title_fullStr Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
title_full_unstemmed Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
title_short Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis
title_sort visceral adiposity and cancer role in pathogenesis and prognosis
topic obesity
cancer
visceral adiposity
Mediterranean diet
fasting
lifestyle interventions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2101
work_keys_str_mv AT lucillacrudele visceraladiposityandcancerroleinpathogenesisandprognosis
AT elenapiccinin visceraladiposityandcancerroleinpathogenesisandprognosis
AT antoniomoschetta visceraladiposityandcancerroleinpathogenesisandprognosis