Review
Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1043-2760(00)00301-5Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open archive

Abstract

The discovery of leptin in the mid-1990s has focused attention on the role of proteins secreted by adipose tissue. Leptin has profound effects on appetite and energy balance, and is also involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine and immune function. Sex steroid and glucocorticoid metabolism in adipose tissue has been implicated as a determinant of body fat distribution and cardiovascular risk. Other adipose products, for example, proinflammatory cytokines, complement factors and components of the coagulation/fibrinolytic cascade, may mediate the metabolic and cardiovascular complications associated with obesity.

Keywords

Endocrinology
Biochemistry
Cell biology

Keywords

Adipose tissue
Leptin
Cytokines
Steroids
Renin-Angiotensin
Adipsin
Cardiovascular
Hormone
Paracrine

Cited by (0)