Increased fibrosis and angiogenesis in subcutaneous gluteal adipose tissue in nascent metabolic syndrome

Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is globally a common disorder that predisposes to both diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is a paucity of data on fibrosis and angiogenesis in adipose tissue (AT) in patients with nascent MetS uncomplicated by diabetes or CVD. Hence, we assayed various indices of fibrosis and angiogenesis in subcutaneous AT (SAT). Methods: In both patients with MetS and matched controls, we determined fibrosis and the densities of CD31, VEGF and Angiopoietin (Angio) 2 and 1 by immunohistochemistry in gluteal SAT. Results: The fibrosis score was significantly increased in SAT of Met S. Also, both CD31 and VEGF densities were significantly increased. Surprisingly, Angio-2 was not increased and the ratio of Angio2:1 was decreased. Both indices of fibrosis and angiogenesis correlated with biomediators of inflammation. Conclusions: In conclusion, we report increased fibrosis and paradoxical increased angiogenesis in gluteal SAT and speculate that the increased angiogenesis is a protective mechanism in mitigating further adipose tissue dysregulation in this depot.