VEGFB and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: However, although in animal models it has been shown the vascular endothelium can function as an efficient barrier to excess muscle lipid uptake even under conditions of severe obesity and T2DM by antagonizing VEGF-B signalling [2], clinical data related to the pathological roles of VEGF-B in obese patients and those with metabolic syndrome are very scarce.