Visceral adipose tissue (VAT)

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), commonly referred to as visceral fat, is a specialized and metabolically active fat depot located deep within the abdominal cavity, where it surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat, VAT functions as a complex endocrine and immune organ, secreting various bioactive molecules known as adipokines (e.g., adiponectin and leptin) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) that significantly influence systemic metabolism and inflammation. Pathological expansion and dysfunction of VAT are central to the etiology of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, as the release of free fatty acids directly into the portal circulation promotes hepatic insulin resistance and lipotoxicity. While VAT itself is an anatomical structure rather than a single molecular target, it is a critical clinical endpoint for pharmacological interventions. Drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide) and SGLT2 inhibitors effectively reduce visceral fat volume by promoting negative energy balance and improving metabolic health, thereby mitigating the risk of obesity-related complications.

Other names

Intra-abdominal fatOrgan fatBelly fatDeep fatVisceral adipose tissueOmental fat

Reduction of visceral fat volume through various systemic metabolic mechanisms including GLP-1 receptor-mediated appetite suppression, SGLT2-mediated caloric loss via glycosuria, and improved insulin signaling, which altogether decrease lipid accumulation and promote lipolysis.