Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and can lead to multiple
chronic diseases. Adipose tissue is increasingly thought to play an active role in
obesity-related pathologies such as
insulin resistance and
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Obesity has been strongly associated with systemic
inflammation and, to a lesser degree, with oxidative stress, although the causal relationships among these factors are unclear. A recent study demonstrating an expression of the components of the melanogenic pathway and the presence of
melanin in visceral adipose has raised questions regarding the possible role of melanogenesis in adipose tissue. As this study also found larger amounts of
melanin in the adipose tissue of obese patients relative to lean ones, we hypothesize that
melanin, a pigment known for its
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may scavenge
reactive oxygen species and abate oxidative stress and
inflammation in adipose tissue. This review considers the evidence to support such a hypothesis, and speculates on the role of
melanin within adipocytes. Furthermore, we consider whether the α-
melanocyte-stimulating hormone or its synthetic analogues could be used to stimulate
melanin production in adipocytes, should the hypothesis be supported in future experiments.