Adipose Tissue by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Human Adipose tissue function

Adipose tissue is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body. Adipose tissue also acts as an endocrine organ.

Diet Rx is trademarked by Physician Formulas supplement company
All Natural Appetite Suppressant

Benefits of Diet Rx *
Decreases appetite so you eat less
Helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Helps you maintain healthy cholesterol and lipid levels
Provides a variety of antioxidant from two dozen herbs and nutrients
Provides healthy fiber
Improves energy
Balances mood
Improves mental concentration and focus
Improves will power and choice of food selection

You can buy Diet Rx at Physician Formulas.

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Once or twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will discuss human adipose tissue function and research.

Human Adipose Tissue function as an Endocrine Organ

The traditional function attributed to white adipose tissue of energy storage in the form of triglycerides has been challenged by results from recent studies, showing that adipose tissue is, in fact, a highly active metabolic and endocrine organ. A radical change in perspective followed the discovery of a large number of proteins secreted from white adipocytes, such as leptin, resistin, adiponectin, adipsin, acylation-stimulating protein, angiotensinogen, tumour necrosis factor a, interleukin-6, retinol-binding protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue factor, fasting-induced adipose factor, fibrinogen/angiopoetin-related protein, and metallothionein. The effects of specific proteins may be either autocrine or paracrine, meaning that they might act in adipose tissue itself or in more distant target tissues. Some of these proteins induce insulin resistance, some play a role in glucose and lipid metabolism, some are inflammatory cytokines, while others are involved in vascular haemostasis.

Adipokines produced in adipose tissue have several roles and can be, according to their main function, grouped in four groups: immunologic, cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine adipokines. Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor a and complement factors B, C3 and D (adipsin) and are within the first group. Adipsin was the one of the first adipokines identified. Ali this molecules have well defined roles in inflammation. IN other words, those who carry extra adipocyte tissue in their body are more prone to suffer medical conditions that are due to inflammation.. It is well known the association between obesity and cardiovascular risk, which is demonstrated by the improvement of cardiovascular risk factors associated with weight loss. Among the adipokines with cardiovascular main function the renin - angiotensin axis molecules and plasminogen activator inhibitor. Adipose tissue is mainly involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Free fatty acids, adiponectin, resistin, agouti related peptide and visfatin are molecules involved in those metabolic pathways. Leptin is the paradigm of the adipose tissue endocrine function. It is a1most exclusively produced by the adipocyte and it has a central role in energy storage regulation and fertility. Steroid inter-conversion also occurs in adipose tissue.

adipose connective tissue
brown adipose tissue