The physiological processes governing the storage, mobilization, and endocrine function of body fat. This regulation is crucial for systemic energy balance and metabolic homeostasis, influencing how the body utilizes and stores energy. It involves complex signaling pathways that determine adipocyte size and number, impacting overall health and metabolic function.
Origin
The term combines ‘adipose tissue,’ derived from the Latin adeps meaning fat, and ‘regulation,’ from the Latin regula meaning rule or guide. Its clinical context stems from the recognition of fat tissue as an active endocrine organ, moving beyond its historical view as mere passive energy storage. This understanding is central to modern endocrinology and metabolic research.
Mechanism
Hormones such as insulin, leptin, and adiponectin are central to this mechanism, acting as signals between adipose tissue and other organs like the hypothalamus and liver. These adipokines modulate appetite, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory responses throughout the body. Dysregulation often manifests as metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance, highlighting the tissue’s critical role in whole-body endocrine function.
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