The Role of Perilipins in the Development of Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases

Understanding nonmodifiable factors promoting weight gain can help clinicians reduce their bias and improve patient care. This review outlines research linking perilipins with the regulation of body fat. Perilipins are proteins that coat lipid droplets. There are 5 known perilipins with varying functions, and perilipin 1 is the most widely researched of all. Rodent studies found a strong link between perilipin 1 and increased fat mass; however, studies with human subjects found inconsistencies, perhaps because of sex and genetic variations. Although some inconsistencies are evident, an association between perilipins and the development of obesity has been established.