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Visceral adipose tissue: emerging role of gluco‐ and mineralocorticoid hormones in the setting of cardiometabolic alterations
Author(s) -
Boscaro Marco,
Giacchetti Gilberta,
Ronconi Vanessa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06597.x
Subject(s) - adipose tissue , adipocyte , hormone , endocrinology , mineralocorticoid receptor , medicine , adipokine , biology , aldosterone , mineralocorticoid , obesity , leptin
Several clinical and experimental lines of evidence have highlighted the detrimental effects of visceral adipose tissue excess on cardiometabolic parameters. Besides, recent findings have shown the effects of gluco‐and mineralocorticoid hormones on adipose tissue and have also underscored the interplay existing between such adrenal steroids and their respective receptors in the modulation of adipose tissue biology. While the fundamental role played by glucocorticoids on adipocyte differentiation and storage was already well known, the relevance of the mineralocorticoids in the physiology of the adipose organ is of recent acquisition. The local and systemic renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) acting on adipose tissue seems to contribute to the development of the cardiometabolic phenotype so that its modulation can have deep impact on human health. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the adipose organ is of crucial importance in order to identify possible therapeutic approaches that can avoid the development of such cardiovascular and metabolic sequelae.