Theranostic Nanoparticles for Imaging and Treating Obesity-Associated Inflammation

Kato Jumba K.

Faculty of Science and Technology Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                  ABSTRACT
Obesity-associated inflammation is a central driver of metabolic dysfunction, contributing to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This chronic low-grade inflammatory state originates primarily from dysfunctional white adipose tissue and is characterized by immune cell infiltration, cytokine overproduction, oxidative stress, and altered tissue architecture. Early detection and precise intervention remain major challenges due to the diffuse and heterogeneous nature of obesity-related inflammation. Theranostic nanoparticles integrated platforms combining diagnostic imaging and therapeutic functions have emerged as a powerful strategy to address these challenges simultaneously. By enabling realtime visualization of inflamed tissues while delivering targeted anti-inflammatory or metabolic therapies, theranostic nanomaterials offer unprecedented opportunities for precision medicine in obesity. These nanoparticles can be engineered to respond to inflammatory cues, selectively accumulate in inflamed adipose depots, and provide multimodal imaging capabilities such as magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, positron emission tomography, or photoacoustic imaging. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular basis of obesity-associated inflammation, principles of theranostic nanoparticle design, and current advances in imaging-guided treatment strategies. We discuss key nanoplatforms, preclinical applications, translational challenges, and future perspectives, highlighting the potential of theranostic nanotechnology to transform the diagnosis and management of obesity-related inflammatory disorders.

Keywords: Theranostic nanoparticles; Obesity-associated inflammation; Adipose tissue imaging; Nanomedicine; Metabolic syndrome.

CITE AS: Kato Jumba K. (2026). Theranostic Nanoparticles for Imaging and Treating Obesity-Associated Inflammation. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES,6(1): 60-67. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJEP/2026/616067