Endocrine Abstracts

The biological role of adipose tissue has been evolving over recent years. Initially viewed predominantly as a site for storage of excess energy, to be released when needed under the regulation of endocrine and neural inputs, the adipose cell should now be viewed as well as a bone fide endocrine gland. Secreted products include major regulators of energybalance, insulin sensitivity, the vascular system, neuroendocrine function, and inflammatory pathways....

Metabolic Syndrome (visceral obesity, insulin resistance, type2 diabetes) resembles Cushing's syndrome, but lacks elevated circulating cortisol levels. This has engendered the hypothesis that excessive local glucocorticoid regeneration, resulting from elevated adipose 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD-1) underlies the Metabolic Syndrome. We report that 11beta-HSD-1 nullizygosity (11beta-HSD-1-/-) reduced intra-adipose corticosterone levels and i...