Adipose, or fat, tissue (AT) was once considered an inert tissue that primarily existed to store lipids, and was not historically recognized as an important organ in the regulation and maintenance of health. With the rise of obesity and more rigorous research, AT is now recognized as a highly complex metabolic organ involved in a host of important physiological functions, including glucose homeostasis and a multitude of endocrine capabilities. AT dysfunction has been implicated in several disease states, most notably obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The study of AT has provided useful insight in developing strategies to combat these highly prevalent metabolic diseases. This review highlights the major functions of adipose tissue and the consequences that can occur when disruption of these functions leads to systemic metabolic dysfunction.

脂肪或脂肪组织 (AT) 曾经被认为是一种惰性组织，主要存在于储存脂质中，并且在历史上不被认为是调节和维持健康的重要器官。随着肥胖症的兴起和更严格的研究，AT 现在被认为是一种高度复杂的代谢器官，涉及许多重要的生理功能，包括葡萄糖稳态和多种内分泌功能。AT 功能障碍与多种疾病状态有关，最显着的是肥胖、代谢综合征和 2 型糖尿病。AT 的研究为制定对抗这些高度流行的代谢疾病的策略提供了有用的见解。