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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
09:20
An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function
Published on: May 4, 2021
Neuropeptide - adipose tissue communication and intestinal pathophysiology
Iordanes Karagiannides1, Kyriaki Bakirtzi, Charalabos Pothoulakis
1Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. cpothoulakis@mednet.ucla.edu
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|May 10, 2011
Summary
Adipose tissue, once thought inert, is now known as an endocrine organ producing adipokines. Emerging research explores how fat-nerve communication impacts intestinal health, particularly in inflammatory bowel disease.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Adipose tissue is recognized as a metabolically active endocrine organ.
- Adipose tissue produces hormones and inflammatory mediators called adipokines.
- Adipokines are implicated in various inflammation-associated diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on neuropeptide-adipose tissue communication.
- To explore how this communication affects intra-abdominal fat physiology.
- To discuss the role of altered fat physiology in intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on adipose tissue and neuropeptide signaling.
- Analysis of the interplay between visceral fat and intestinal homeostasis.
- Examination of pathological conditions involving mesenteric fat alterations.
Main Results:
- Adipose tissue actively communicates with the nervous system.
- Neuropeptide signaling can modify intra-abdominal fat tissue physiology.
- Alterations in fat tissue may influence intestinal disease development and progression.
Conclusions:
- Fat tissue plays a significant role in human pathophysiology.
- Understanding fat-nerve interactions is crucial for intestinal health research.
- Further investigation into these pathways may reveal new therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease.
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