Prague Med. Rep. 2015, 116, 87-111

https://doi.org/10.14712/23362936.2015.49

Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ: An Update on Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Microenvironment

Kvido Smitka, Dana Marešová

Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Received December 12, 2014
Accepted June 1, 2015

Adipose tissue is recognized as an active endocrine organ that produces a number of endocrine substances referred to as “adipokines” including leptin, adiponectin, adipolin, visfatin, omentin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and progranulin (PGRN) which play an important role in the food intake regulation and significantly influence insulin sensitivity and in some cases directly affect insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. The review summarizes current knowledge about adipose tissue-derived hormones and their influence on energy homeostasis regulation. The possible therapeutic potential of these adipokines in the treatment of insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, a pro-inflammatory response, obesity, eating disorders, progression of atherosclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is discussed.

Funding

This study was supported by grant by PRVOUK-P34/LF1/7.

References

175 live references