What is the Origin of Adipocytokine?

The term combines "adipo-," referring to fat or adipose tissue, and "-cytokine," denoting a small protein involved in cell signaling, traditionally associated with the immune system. The concept emerged from the recognition that fat tissue is not merely an energy storage depot but an active endocrine organ. This biological realization fundamentally changed the understanding of obesity as a purely passive condition.

What is the Mechanism of Adipocytokine?

Adipocytokines exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on target cells in tissues such as the liver, muscle, and brain. For example, leptin acts on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite, while adiponectin enhances insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. An imbalance, such as reduced adiponectin and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, disrupts metabolic homeostasis, contributing to conditions like insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation.

Adipocytokine

Meaning

Hormones and signaling molecules produced and secreted by adipose tissue, which is body fat. These bioactive substances regulate numerous physiological processes, including energy metabolism, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and vascular function. Clinically, adipocytokines serve as a critical link between body fat mass, particularly visceral fat, and the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.