Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre PAS, Warsaw, Poland.
Department of General Medicine and Geriatric Cardiology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education Warsaw, Poland.
Endokrynol Pol. 2023;74(5):468-479. doi: 10.5603/ep.95378.
Adipose tissue is a large hormonally active organ that secretes several substances (adipokines), and an important site for the synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones. With energy balance, the secretory and metabolic activity of adipose tissue determines the normal function of many organs, including the endocrine glands. However, in the course of overweight and obesity, adverse changes occur in the structure and function of adipocytes. Obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction translates into a change in the profile of secreted adipokines, and it impairs steroidogenesis. These phenomena contribute to the development of obesity-related complications, which also affect the major tropic axes regulating the endocrine glands. However, there is increasing evidence that weight reduction is an effective treatment for obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction, thereby restoring endocrine function. This narrative review presents the impact of adipose tissue on endocrine gland activity both in the physiological state and in obesity-related dysfunction. It also discusses how functional (related to excess adiposity) changes in the endocrine system can be restored with effective treatment of obesity.
脂肪组织是一个具有多种分泌功能的大型内分泌器官，它分泌多种物质（脂肪因子），也是甾体激素合成和代谢的重要场所。在能量平衡状态下，脂肪组织的分泌和代谢活性决定了许多器官（包括内分泌腺）的正常功能。然而，在超重和肥胖的过程中，脂肪细胞的结构和功能会发生不良变化。与肥胖相关的脂肪组织功能障碍会导致分泌的脂肪因子谱发生变化，并损害甾体激素生成。这些现象会导致肥胖相关并发症的发生，也会影响调节内分泌腺的主要营养轴。然而，越来越多的证据表明，减轻体重是治疗肥胖相关脂肪组织功能障碍的有效方法，可恢复内分泌功能。本综述探讨了脂肪组织在生理状态和肥胖相关功能障碍下对内分泌腺活性的影响，并讨论了如何通过有效治疗肥胖来恢复与肥胖相关的内分泌系统功能变化。
