Adipose tissue is seen as a potent endocrine organ secreting besides free fatty acids also a number of endocrine substances (adipokines) which significantly influence insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue. Number of these products participate in the regulation of inflammatory response and are involved in the state of low-grade inflammation, a risk factor for a development of atherosclerosis and type 2. diabetes.
Farmacological as well as non-farmacological manipulations of adipose tissue endocrine functions are a potent instrument of improving insulin resistance and more hypolipidemics and antidiabetics are going to be developed in the near future. Despite these encouraging facts, regulation of insulin resistance and the exact role of adipokines in humans remains to be elucidated