Fat tissue and adrenal function: mechanisms of mutual influence

The mechanisms of mutual influence of fat tissue and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis include the regulation of the metabolism of adipocytes by adrenal cortex hormones, on the one part, and the effect of adipocytes and adipocytokines on secretion, metabolism and action of steroid hormones in target cells - on the other part.

Glucocorticoids contribute to the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes; brown fat tissue transforms into white under the effect of GC. Mineralocorticoids are also involved in the process of adipocyte differentiation, regulate adipokine expression, and induce oxidative stress in fat tissue. There is evidence that suggest that circulating dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), obesity, insulin sensitivity are associated with the presence of cardiovascular diseases.

Orexigenic neuropeptides and inflammatory mediators, which trigger the synthesis of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei, are considered as possible mechanisms of (HPA) axis activation in obesity. Expression of 1ip-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11P-HSD1) in fat tissue and the formation of cortisol from cortisone at the tissue level can be considered as one of the factors involved in development of insulin resistance. The autocrine and paracrine regulatory effect of these hormones on adipocyte function is the consequence of aldosterone production and aromatization of androgens by fat tissue.

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