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Nature 444, 875-880 (14 December 2006) | doi:10.1038/nature05487; Published online 13 December 2006
Mechanisms linking obesity with cardiovascular disease
Luc F. Van Gaal1, Ilse L. Mertens1 and Christophe E. De Block1
Abstract
Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Adipose tissue releases a large number of bioactive mediators that influence not only body weight homeostasis but also insulin resistance — the core feature of type 2 diabetes — as well as alterations in lipids, blood pressure, coagulation, fibrinolysis and inflammation, leading to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We are now beginning to understand the underlying mechanisms as well as the ways in which smoking and dyslipidaemia increase, and physical activity attenuates, the adverse effects of obesity on cardiovascular health.
- University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Diabetology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem (Antwerp), Belgium.
Correspondence to: L.F.V.G. (Email: luc.van.gaal@uza.be).
Reprints and permissions information is available at http://www.nature.com/reprints/index.html.
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