Role of Autophagy in Lipid Accumulation and Metabolic Dysfunction in Obesity

Obesity, a global public health challenge, is closely associated with lipid accumulation and metabolic dysfunction, contributing to the development of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Autophagy, a highly conserved cellular process responsible for degrading and recycling cytoplasmic components, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated metabolic disturbances. This review explores the mechanisms by which autophagy influences lipid metabolism, lipid droplet turnover, and energy balance, focusing on its role in adipocytes, hepatocytes, and muscle cells. We discuss the interaction between autophagy and critical metabolic pathways such as lipophagy and mitophagy and their implications for lipid storage, insulin sensitivity, and mitochondrial function. Additionally, we examine the contribution of autophagy to obesity-induced inflammation and the progression of metabolic diseases. Understanding the complex relationship between autophagy and lipid metabolism may offer novel therapeutic strategies for combating obesity and its metabolic complications. Keywords: Autophagy, Lipid metabolism, Obesity, Lipid accumulation, Metabolic dysfunction, Lipophagy, Mitophagy, Insulin resistance