Endocrine Functions of the Adipose Tissue

Among the various essential roles of adipose tissue, endocrine function (the production of multiple types of signaling molecules, also known as adipokines) has been recognized as central to human health and normal physiology. Over the last half-century, thousands of studies have been conducted, confirming the hypothesis that disturbances in adipokine secretion can significantly impact the body’s control of appetite, overall energy expenditure, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and tissue repair. The specific medical importance of adipose tissue is further emphasized in the context of the global increase in obesity and metabolic syndrome rates. Nevertheless, sex differences in the size and anatomic distribution of fat depots in humans have important implications for regulating steroid hormone levels in the circulation (which could further affect the overall levels of adiposity and body fat distribution). In this chapter, we provide an overview of the endocrine function of adipose tissue, including a historical timeline of the discoveries of the most important adipokines and updates on the current understanding of their roles in health and disease. This overview of the endocrine function of adipose tissue is organized in order based on pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of adipokines and their molecular structure and function.