Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ

Abstract

As one of the largest endocrine organs in the body, adipose tissue secrets a number of bioactive hormones, called adipokines. The expression and secretion of adipokines are tightly controlled and coordinated by physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In multiple physiological conditions, such as obesity, cold adaptation, exercise training, expression and secretion of adipokines are altered accordingly, which in turn modulate the metabolism of the whole body in endocrine, paracrine and autocrine manners. The varied changes in adipose tissues are pivotal mediators that aid the body to adapt to various physiological and pathological conditions, whereas almost all obesity-associated diseases are attributable to dysregulation of adipokines.