title: Signals of adiposity.
abstract: Adipose tissue, a reserve of energy, has played an essential role in mammalian evolution. Adipose tissue differs from other tissues in that its mass has considerable capacity to expand, which while beneficial in decreasing the risk of starvation, increases the risk of predation. Adipose tissue mass is thus under tight control in nondomestic species. Adipose tissue secretes a variety of factors, some of which (leptin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, resistin) are thought to be involved in modulation of adipose mass. Leptin has a variety of functions, primarily targetting the hypothalamus where it acts to decrease appetite and increase energy expenditure. Leptin is also involved in the adaptations to fasting, and leptin is also required for normal reproductive and immune function. TNF alpha and resistin appear to have key paracrine roles, attenuating the anabolic effects of insulin on adipose tissue metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Hannah Research Institute, Ayr KA6 5HL, Scotland, UK. vernonr@hri.sari.ac.uk
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Denis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006729:Hormones, Ectopic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D011506:Proteins; D052243:Resistin; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006729:Hormones, Ectopic; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins; D052243:Resistin; C413576:Retnla protein, mouse; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor