Hormonal changes are generated partially by the adipose tissue, due to the fact that adipocytes are capable to produce hormones like Adiponectin, resistin or leptin.
Adiponectin
Adiponectin is known as an adipose tissue-specific protein (Figure 1).
The most important biological actions of adiponectin are improved insulin sensitivity and fatty acid oxidation.
Adiponectin action is inhibited by adrenergic stimulation and glucocorticoids.
Expression and release of adiponectin are triggered by insulin and suppressed by TNF-α.
Unlike leptin, amounts of adiponectin are lowered in obese and type 2 diabetic patients and elevated in patients with anorexia nervosa.
Resistin
The name of resistin comes from the initial observation that the protein caused insulin resistance in mice.