Adipocytokines:: Fat-derived humoral mediators of metabolic homeostasis

The metabolic syndrome currently reaches epidemic proportions in the Western industrialized world. Its hallmarks obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis are closely associated, and we are just beginning to understand the reasons for this relationship: adipose tissue-derived proteohormones (adipocytokines), under normal weight conditions, guarantee homeostasis of glucose and lipid metabolism, but their dysregulated production in the obese state promotes insulin resistance, inflammation, as well as atherosclerotic events. This review will focus on the current understanding of the adipocytokines' molecular role in metabolism and metabolic disease.