

The M2:M1 macrophage ratio is reduced in adipose tissue of obese mice. Obesity induces not only macrophage infiltration, but also alterations in the macrophages’ phenotype. In addition, infiltrated macrophages in adipose tissue from lean mice are different from those in adipose tissue from obese mice. In 2003, Weisberg described that approximately 40% of SVF cells from visceral adipose tissue in obese mice are macrophages compared to only 10% of SVF cells in lean controls. Adipose tissue contains not only adipocytes, but also adipocyte precursors, nerve terminals, blood vessels and immune cells, collectively named the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The mediators and mechanisms involved are complex and multifactorial. The exact mechanism by which adipose tissue develops local inflammation during obesity is not fully understood. The second was the description of adipocyte synthesis and the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a classical proinflammatory substance. The first was the discovery of leptin, an important hypothalamic satiety signal, in 1994, and the subsequent data describing this hormone’s proinflammatory actions. Two important observations contributed to a change in the point of view regarding adipose tissue biology. Satiety and appetite control, glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure regulation and inflammation and immune modulation are altered by adipose tissue-derived substances. In addition to adipose tissue’s main role in releasing fatty acids to be used as energy substrates, this tissue is an active endocrine organ, secreting several hormones and signaling substances with a number of biological functions. A low-grade inflammatory process in adipose tissue has been identified as key in the development of obesity-associated pathologies, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The increasing incidence of obesity suggests that this epidemic will continue to grow. The energy balance defect that causes obesity and visceral adiposity is serious and predisposes individuals to complications, such as atherosclerosis, hepatic steatosis and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern, because of the associated weight-related diseases that result in significant morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life. Thus, as a general conclusion, it seems that yerba maté beverages and supplements might be helpful in the battle against obesity.Ģ. Protective and ameliorative effects on insulin resistance were also observed. In doing so, it addresses several of the abnormal and disease-causing factors associated with obesity. In addition, yerba maté modulates the expression of genes that are changed in the obese state and restores them to more normal levels of expression. In summary, the data presented here showed that the use of yerba maté might be useful against obesity, improving the lipid parameters in humans and animal models. Animal studies show that yerba maté modulates signaling pathways that regulate adipogenesis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin signaling responses.

Cellular studies demonstrate that yerba maté suppresses adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride accumulation and reduces inflammation. In this review, we evaluated the impact of yerba maté on obesity and obesity-related inflammation. Several studies have identified yerba maté ( Ilex paraguariensis) as an excellent candidate. Research in the nutrition field has recently aroused considerable interest based on the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Global anti-obesity strategies focus on dietary and lifestyle modifications to slow the development of obesity. The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the past three decades.
