| Summary: | Due to the recent discoveries of a growing number of cytokines secreted by adipocytes termed as Adipokines, the simple paradigm of adipocytes as merely the depot of excess energy (fat) has quickly evolved into a new notion of these cells as multi-functional endocrine cells involving in an extraordinarily broad range of physiological functions including energy metabolism. Given the essential involvements of adipokines in complex metabolic network, these secretory hormones play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of adipokine secretion and their functions remain obscure.
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