Adipose tissue secretory profile and cardiometabolic risk in obesity

Abstract Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage but also the largest endocrine organ in the body. The protein factors secreted from adipose tissue are collectively referred to as adipokines. Depending on the anatomical locations, adipose tissue depots show different metabolic and endocrine properties. Thus, the expansion and accumulation of adipose tissue exhibit regional variations that affect the cardiometabolic outcomes in distinctive manners. The present review includes subcutaneous, abdominal visceral, perivascular and epicardial adipose tissues for a brief discussion on their roles in the development of obesity-associated cardiometabolic diseases, with a special focus on the secretory profiles of adipokines.