This term refers to the complex communication network orchestrated by adipose tissue, commonly known as body fat, which functions as a dynamic endocrine organ rather than a simple energy storage depot. Adipose tissue releases numerous signaling molecules, collectively termed adipokines, that travel through the circulation to influence distant organs. These signals are critical for regulating energy balance, glucose homeostasis, reproductive function, and inflammatory processes throughout the body. Understanding this signaling is paramount for addressing metabolic health and hormonal equilibrium.
Origin
The concept emerged from modern endocrinology research, particularly the discovery of leptin in the mid-1990s, which definitively established adipose tissue’s role beyond lipid storage. This finding shifted the scientific paradigm, recognizing the tissue’s endocrine capacity and its systemic influence on physiology. The term itself is a descriptive composite of the tissue type and its biological function of communication.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the secretion of adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, and various inflammatory cytokines, directly into the bloodstream. These molecules bind to specific receptors on target cells in the liver, muscle, brain, and immune system, initiating intracellular cascades. Dysregulation in this signaling, often seen with excessive visceral adiposity, can lead to states of leptin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation, fundamentally disrupting metabolic and hormonal health.
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