Aging adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT

With the increase of population aging, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is also rising. Aging affects the tissues and organs of the whole body, which is the result of various physiological and pathological processes. Adipose tissue has a high degree of plasticity and changes with aging. Aging changes the distribution of adipose tissue, affects adipogenesis, browning characteristics, inflammatory status and adipokine secretion, and increases lipotoxicity. These age-dependent changes in adipose tissue are an important cause of insulin resistance and T2D. Understanding adipose tissue changes can help promote healthy aging process. This review summarizes changes in adipose tissue ascribable to aging, with a focus on the role of aging adipose tissue in insulin resistance and T2D.