RT Journal
A1 Elmquist JK, Scherer PE
T1 NEuroendocrine and endocrine pathways of obesity
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD September 19
VO 308
IS 11
SP 1070
OP 1071
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.3209
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.3209
AB 
At first sight, the adipocyte appears to be fully occupied by a droplet of fat. It is difficult even to see the nucleus or any other structure responsible for the metabolic activity of cells, let alone to suggest that the adipocyte is a professional secretory cell. This benign appearance misled investigators for decades into believing that fat cells were passive storage organs that simply esterify dietary lipids upon consumption of a meal and release free fatty acids upon fasting. Over the past decade, it has become apparent that fat cells are metabolically much more active than anticipated. While the role of the adipocyte in postprandial glucose disposal is well understood, its roles in lipogenesis, glyceroneogenesis, and mitochondrial beta oxidation are increasingly appreciated. Adipose tissue is an important endocrine tissue intricately involved in the regulation of energy balance, as well as in the pathogenesis of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, through its ability to sequester potentially toxic lipid species and to secrete a vast array of lipid and hormonal products (referred to as adipokines). This week’s cover and cover story figure feature the special role of adipose tissue among the complex relationships involved in the network of energy 
balance.