[Fatty tissue as a secretory organ. Significance for obesity-related diseases].

Adipose tissue is not only a passive storage organ for excessed energy intake, it is also able to produce and release several substances with local (autocrine) and systemic (endocrine) actions. An up-to-date review of our knowledge in this area is given here. Several of the compounds deriving from adipose tissue have been shown to play a role in obesity-related health complications. The production of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) is implicated in the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. All elements in the renin-angiotensin system are produced in adipose tissue, which is thus related to hypertension. The production of PAI-1 could be related to enhanced thrombogenesis. The release of the compounds described is generally higher from adipocytes in the visceral depot, which could explain the close association between this depot and health complications.