[Adipose tissue. Hidden aspects].

Adipose differentiation is a sequential process (adipoblasts-->preadipocytes-->adipocytes). Adipogenic factors are only involved in the terminal differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes by means of circulating hormones (growth hormone, glucocorticoids, insulin, triiodothyronine) and locally produced hormones (prostacyclin, IGF-I). Fatty acids also behave as hormones and act as transcriptional regulators of lipid-related genes. Once differentiated, adipocytes become secretory cells able to synthetize and release numerous peptide and nonpeptide compounds, suggesting a potential link between excess of adipose tissue mass and various physiopathologic consequences.