Evaluate the collective function of references cited together in a given text segment.
Classify their combined role into one of the following categories: 'method', 'background', or 'result'.

Text:This substance accumulates in adipose tissue due to its lipophilic characteristics, promotes an increase in triglycerides and inhibits the release of adiponectin, increases the release of proinflammatory cytokines through the activation of the pathway JUNK, STAT3 and NFκB (Nappi et al. 2016).
Category: