title: The autocrine and paracrine roles of adipokines.
abstract: Obesity, defined by an excess of adipose tissue, is often associated with the development of various metabolic diseases. The increased and inappropriate deposition of this tissue contributes to hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that factors expressed and secreted by the adipose tissue, adipokines, may contribute to the development of these abnormalities by mechanisms including inhibition of adipogenesis, adipocyte hypertrophy and death, immune cell infiltration and disruption of tissue metabolism. The presence of adipokine receptors in adipocytes renders these cells available to autocrine and paracrine effects of adipokines. In this review the reported local effects of adipokines on adipose tissue structure, inflammation and regulation of metabolic functions, in the face of over-nutrition and consequent obesity, are outlined. Elucidating the local regulation of white adipocyte development and function could help in the design of effective, tissue-specific therapies for obesity-associated diseases.
authors: Adipokines and Metabolism Research Group, Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, Division of Medicine, University College London, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JJ, UK.
authors: Kalypso
authors: K
authors: Karastergiou
authors: Vidya
authors: V
authors: Mohamed-Ali
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019898:Autocrine Communication; D006801:Humans; D019899:Paracrine Communication
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines