Obesity: Effects on bone marrow homeostasis and platelet activation

Obesity is a major health issue that can increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity is characterized by an elevated prothrombotic state in which dysregulated platelet activation is a major component due to accumulation of adipose depots, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, low-grade chronic inflam-mation and oxidative stress. Obesity also alters the homeostasis of the bone marrow, the site where mega-karyopoiesis and platelet production take place, which include bone marrow adipose tissue as an important constituent of this microenvironment. Here, we provide an up-to-date review focusing on bone marrow adipose tissue and the influence of obesity on megakaryocytes and platelets that increases the cardiovascular risk.