ABSTRACT
The sympathetic nervous system is involved in cardiovascular regulation and metabolic function. When weight gain occurs, excess adiposity impacts neural and humoral functions. Increased bioactive mediators, including cytokines, adipokines, and free fatty acids released from fat, in conjunction with regionally specific changes in sympathetic nervous activity and abnormal sympathetic regulation, have profound effects on many metabolic regulatory processes and target organ function, favoring the development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, renal disease, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Through these multiple pathways, excess weight is accompanied by an increased prevalence of comorbidities and is associated with significant morbidity and early mortality. Changes in sympathetic tone associated with weight loss play an integral part in improving many of the metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity.
