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Local Hormone Production

Meaning

The synthesis and subsequent action of steroid and peptide hormones within peripheral tissues, such as adipose, muscle, or skin, that operate primarily via autocrine (acting on the cell of origin) or paracrine (acting on neighboring cells) signaling loops, independent of the major systemic endocrine glands. This critical mechanism provides a fine-tuned, tissue-specific hormonal environment that is crucial for localized physiological processes like inflammation, tissue repair, and metabolic regulation. It signifies a distributed endocrine system that complements the systemic, circulatory-based regulation.