In the mid-1990s, interest in adipose tissue–until then generally regarded as a mere energy
reserve–was revived by the discovery of leptin. Since then numerous other cytokine-like …

Over the past two decades our view of adipose tissue has undergone a dramatic change
from an inert energy storage tissue to an active endocrine organ. Adipose tissue …

The metabolic syndrome currently reaches epidemic proportions in the Western
industrialized world. Its hallmarks obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis are …

White adipose tissue was believed to be just an energy-storage organ, but it is now
recognized to be an active participant in energy homoeostasis and physiological functions …

The incidence of obesity has increased dramatically during recent decades. Obesity
increases the risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and may therefore contribute to …

The current global obesity pandemic is the leading cause for the soaring rates of metabolic
diseases, especially diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and non-alcoholic …

Adipose tissue is the source of soluble mediators (adipokines), secreted mainly by
adipocytes. Leptin acts on the brain and peripheral organs to regulate energy homeostasis …

The role of adipocytes has been recently better understood. Several adipocytokines have
been identified, including leptin, a main regulator of appetite and energy expenditure …

It is now recognized that the white adipose tissue (WAT) produces a variety of bioactive
peptides, collectively termed “adipokines”. Alteration of WAT mass in obesity or lipoatrophy …

White adipose tissue is now recognised to be a multifunctional organ; in addition to the
central role of lipid storage, it has a major endocrine function secreting several hormones …