The role of fat cell derived peptides in age-related metabolic alterations

Aging in humans is associated with alterations in body fat distribution and a parallel gradual increase in the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovas cular disease, as well as mortality of all causes. Because of nutrient cost , availability, and the sedentary life-style, half of the western world pop ulation has fat mass in excess of 30%, of the body weight that weighs 3-4 t imes more than the fat mass of lean subjects. Recent discoveries of various hormones, cytokines and complement factors secreted by adipose cells opene d a new avenue of research, looking at the role of these fat derived peptid es in different conditions. We will focus here on the potential role of fat tissue in different physiological and physio pat ho logical conditions ass ociated with age-related metabolism and risk factors for diseases. We will also exemplify how body fat capacity, distribution and function can be dire ctly linked, and may play a central role in energy metabolism and homeostas is, atherosclerosis, and possibly in the defense against cancer, We hypothe size that biological pathways involved in nutrient regulation in fat tissue may be important in inducing longevity in calorie restricted animals. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.