Adipose Tissue Depots and Blood Pressure Regulation: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Targets Beyond Obesity

Stephanie Rodriguez; Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi; Joshua Peterson; Cally Tucker; Linhai Cheng; Elham Shams; Erin Meyers; Sefi Jawadi; Renata O Pereira; Marcelo L G Correia

doi:10.1093/ajh/hpag065

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Adipose Tissue Depots and Blood Pressure Regulation: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Targets Beyond Obesity

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Adipose Tissue Depots and Blood Pressure Regulation: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Targets Beyond Obesity

Stephanie Rodriguez, Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi, Joshua Peterson, Cally Tucker, Linhai Cheng, Elham Shams, Erin Meyers, Sefi Jawadi, Renata O Pereira and Marcelo L G Correia

American journal of hypertension

06/20/2026

DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpag065

PMID: 42323862

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Abstract

Adipose tissue influences blood pressure regulation through depot-specific endocrine, inflammatory, and exosome-dependent mechanisms. While obesity is a well-established risk factor for hypertension, emerging evidence suggests that distinct fat depots may contribute to vascular dysfunction independent of total adiposity. This review synthesizes post-2020 literature on six anatomically defined depots: visceral, perivascular, epicardial, bone marrow, brown, and beige adipose tissue, with an emphasis on their mechanistic roles, imaging biomarkers, and translational relevance. Alterations in adipose depot function can impair nitric oxide signaling, promote oxidative stress, and modulate sympathetic tone, even in the absence of obesity. Exosomal microRNAs from dysfunctional adipose tissue further disrupt vascular homeostasis. Although clinical tools for assessing depot dysfunction are limited, advances in imaging and molecular profiling may enable targeted therapeutic strategies. Reframing adipose tissue as a modular regulator of blood pressure, rather than a passive consequence of obesity, may unlock new venues for precision management of hypertension.

adipose tissue

microRNA

Blood pressure

adipokine

exosome

batokine

Details

Title: Subtitle: Adipose Tissue Depots and Blood Pressure Regulation: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Targets Beyond Obesity
Creators: Stephanie Rodriguez - University of Minnesota
Vijayvardhan Kamalumpundi - Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Joshua Peterson - University of Iowa
Cally Tucker - University of Iowa
Linhai Cheng - University of Iowa
Elham Shams - University of Iowa
Erin Meyers - University of Iowa
Sefi Jawadi - University of Iowa Health Care
Renata O Pereira - University of Iowa, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Marcelo L G Correia - University of Iowa, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of hypertension
DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpag065
PMID: 42323862
NLM abbreviation: Am J Hypertens
ISSN: 1941-7225
eISSN: 1941-7225
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/20/2026
Academic Unit: Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9985175436402771

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