HORMONAL-REGULATION OF ADIPOSE DIFFERENTIATION

Adipose differentiation is a multistep process with the following sequ ence: adipoblasts --> preadipocytes --> adipocytes. Adipogenic agents are only involved in the terminal differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes by means of circulating hormones (growth hormone, glucocort icoids, or triiodothyronine) and locally produced hormones (prostacycl in). Fatty acids also behave as hormones and act as transcriptional re gulators of lipid-related genes. Once differentiated, adipocytes becom e secretory cells able to synthetize and release an impressive number of peptide and nonpeptide compounds, suggesting a potential link betwe en excess of adipose tissue mass and various physiopathphysiologic con sequences.