The intricate, continuous, and bidirectional communication network involving the exchange of hormones, signaling molecules, metabolites, and neural signals between anatomically distinct organs and tissues throughout the body. This constant molecular dialogue is fundamentally essential for maintaining systemic energy balance, homeostatic regulation, and coordinated physiological adaptation to external and internal stimuli. In the context of hormonal health, this crosstalk includes the critical interplay between the brain, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver. Disruption of this communication network is often a central feature in the pathology of metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Origin
The term emerged from the field of systems biology and advanced endocrinology as researchers began to fully characterize the endocrine functions of previously non-classical organs, such as the muscle-derived myokines and fat-derived adipokines. This discovery fundamentally shifted the physiological view from isolated organ function to an integrated, communicative system. Understanding this systemic communication is now a prerequisite for effectively addressing complex, multi-system chronic diseases.
Mechanism
Interorgan crosstalk is primarily mediated by the secretion of various endocrine factors into the circulation, where they travel to bind to specific receptors on distant target cells. For instance, the communication along the muscle-liver axis involves myokines influencing hepatic glucose metabolism, while the adipose-pancreas axis communicates via adipokines to regulate insulin secretion and sensitivity. Neural pathways, particularly the autonomic nervous system, also contribute to rapid communication, ensuring swift and coordinated systemic responses to nutrient availability and energy demands.
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