Abstract

PEREZ MAYORGA, MARITZA. ADIPOSE TISSUE AS AN ENDOCRINE ORGAN: PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS. rev.fac.med [online]. 2007, vol.15, n.2, pp.225-242. ISSN 0121-5256.

The concept of adipose tissue as the site where excess energy is stored have changed in the last decade, now, it is recognized as a highly active metabolic tissue and important endocrine organ able to communicate with the rest of body by synthesizing and releasing active molecules called "adipokines" which act locally and distally through autocrine, paracrine and endocrine effects and have been implicated in control of food intake, energy balance, body weight, glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, fibrinolysis, pro and anti inflamatory process, sexual development and reproduction. All theses substances, have a key role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors of metabolic origin that are accompanied by incresed risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, which are becoming more and more prevalent worldwide, being considered now a pandemic. A better understanding of the endocrine function of adipose tissue and its role in the pathogenesis of these diseases will lead to a more rational therapy for these increasingly prevalent disorders. This article pretends to integrate the knowledge about the physiology of the adipose tissue, its role in obesity associated pathologies and the possible new approaches for their prevention and treatment.

Keywords : adipose tissue; cytokines; inflammation; insulin resistance.