ROS-NLRP3 Inflammasome Axis in Obesity: A Critical Review of Oxidative Stress-Driven Inflammation and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies

Background and Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increasingly recognized as not just passive byproducts but also signaling contributors to metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Among the inflammatory effectors that interact with ROS, the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has emerged as an important node linking metabolic stress to interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-18-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance. This review critically examines the ROS-NLRP3 axis as a mechanistic framework for obesity progression, weighing supporting against contradictory evidence and defining translational opportunities. Materials and Methods: A narrative concept-driven review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science throughout August 2026, prioritizing mechanistic, human, and interventional studies of ROS, mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), NLRP3 activation, and obesity, with deliberate inclusion of discordant findings.