Via practica 3/2008

THE ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF ADIPOSE TISSUE

The discovery of leptin in 1990’s has been a major breakthrough causing a revolution in understanding the physiological function of adipose tissue. Leptin marked the end of a period when adipose tissue was considered merely a passive storage of excess energy and the novel concept of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ, the source of many bioactive substances – adipokines – has emerged . Adipokines can influence a wide spectrum of physiological functions such as energy intake and expenditure, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, as well as blood pressure and inflammatory processes. with respect to this concept, adipose tissue is a dynamic organ with an important role in the adaptation to nutrient fluctuation (changes in energy intake). This physiological function of adipose tissue is fulfilled mostly thanks to the ability of adipose tissue to communicate with other tissues and organs by its own secretory products – adipokines. Many studies has demonstrated a great importance of adipokines in the regulation of physiological functions, which led to the formulation of a hypothesis that changes in the synthesis and/or secretion of these biologically active compounds contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity and obesityassociated disorders. Pharmacological targeting of adipokine levels and function thus opens new therapeutic avenues which could enable prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Up to date, the list of adipokines comprises over 50 bioactive molecules. In this review, we take the liberty to select some of the wellcharacterized adipokines which, if dysregulated, contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and associated diseases.

Keywords: adipose tissue, adipokines, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity treatment, oral antidiabetics