The Role Of Adipose Tissue In Glucose Homeostasis

Abstract

It is today established that adipose tissue subserves not only in the storage of excess energy but it is also an organ that regulates immune response, metabolic and endocrine functions as well. Broadly, there are three types of adipose tissue - the white adipose tissue (WAT) the brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the brite adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue expends energy and generates heat. It is however the WAT that truely relates to the traditional belief that adipose tissue stores excess energy. This review takes a step further in revealing that healthy WAT secretes adipokines which are molecular proteins that regulates glucose homeostasis. However, when healthy WAT is transformed into an inflamed WAT as in obesity, there is perturbation in the glucose homeostasis which further leads to the development of metabolic disease. This review also explores the trend that is now followed in reversing the inflammation of WAT by administration of drugs like thiazolidinediones, statins and aspirin. The replenishment of WAT by transplantation of embryonic BAT is also highlighted as one of the promising methods to reverse inflammation in WAT and correct perturbation of glucose homeostasis.