Adipose tissue as an active endocrine organ: recent advances.

Adipose tissue secretes a variety of factors in a manner dependent upon its metabolic state. These factors are derived from adipocyte or non-adipocyte fractions, and include proteins, metabolites and hormones. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and adipocyte-derived factors might contribute to or ameliorate obesity-associated pathologies such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, vascular dysfunction and a chronic inflammatory and prothrombotic state.