High-fat western diet consumption exacerbates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis

Adipose tissue (AT), an endocrine organ, plays a central role in maintenance of whole-body energy homeostasis through its release of adipokines. Obesity, affecting over 40% of American adults, disrupts adipocyte metabolism leading to chronic systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction (MetDys). MetDys is associated with impaired lung function, pulmonary hypertension, and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-fat Western diet (HFWD)-consumption on silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in the F344 rat.