Today you are meeting with Pat, a 42-year-old Caucasian woman, here today for a
ID: 126868 • Letter: T
Question
Today you are meeting with Pat, a 42-year-old Caucasian woman, here today for a physical examination. Pat wants to join a local health club. It is required by the facility that she provides a physician’s clearance prior to participation in their exercise/weight loss program. Pat’s BMI is calculated at 28 kg/m2. Her blood glucose is 179 mg/dL. Pat has indicated that she has struggled with her weight for over 20 years. She has tried numerous diets and her weight has fluctuated by 100 pounds (between 155 and 255 pounds). Her current weight is 200 pounds and her goal is to lose 60 pounds. Currently, she reports she has been getting really short of breath with minimal activity and she has been told that her blood pressure is elevated. Today her BP is 148/94. What has occurred at the cellular level during the time that Pat accumulated excessive body fat?
Explanation / Answer
The adipose tissue is the cellular organ that influences the function of all other organs system. Adipocytes are the key cells of the adipose tissue and play a major role in maintaining the energy homeostasis. Fat is the biological caloric reservoir that expands in case of overnutrition and releases lipids in case of energy deficit. Adipocytes stores the excess fat as triglycerides in the cellular lipid droplets. White adipocytes are found in the majority of visceral and subcutaneous depots. Brown fat depots are responsible for thermogenesis.
Thus the pathophysiological metabolic changes of adipocyte and nutrients are associated with metabolic syndrome in pat, such as obesity, weight fluctuation, hyperglycemia and which leads to elevated blood pressure.