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Adipocyte Metabolism

Meaning

Adipocyte metabolism refers to the complex biochemical processes occurring within fat cells, or adipocytes, which govern energy storage and release throughout the body. These cells are not merely passive storage depots but are active endocrine organs, secreting various adipokines that influence systemic energy balance. Understanding this cellular activity is crucial in clinical endocrinology, as dysfunction directly contributes to metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and obesity. This critical process involves the dynamic interplay between lipogenesis, the synthesis of fat, and lipolysis, the breakdown of fat.