Lipidomics in Obesity: Unveiling Metabolic Pathways Contributing to Hyperlipidemia

Obesity, a global public health challenge, is intricately linked to hyperlipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Lipidomics, the comprehensive study of lipid profiles within biological systems, has emerged as a powerful tool for unraveling the complex lipid metabolic alterations that occur in obesity. This review provides a detailed analysis of lipidomics and its application in understanding the dysregulated metabolic pathways contributing to hyperlipidemia in obesity. We examine key lipid species, including fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol, and their roles in adipose tissue dynamics, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Furthermore, the review highlights the involvement of critical lipid metabolic pathways such as de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and sphingolipid signaling in obesity-induced hyperlipidemia. Emerging lipidomic technologies and their potential to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for managing dyslipidemia in obese individuals are also discussed. By integrating lipidomics into obesity research, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of the lipid-related molecular mechanisms driving hyperlipidemia and develop more targeted, personalized therapeutic strategies. Keywords: Lipidomics, Obesity, Hyperlipidemia, Metabolic Pathways, Fatty Acid Metabolism, De Novo Lipogenesis, Sphingolipids, Biomarkers, Cardiovascular Risk, Dyslipidemia