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Mechanisms of Disease: adipocytokines and visceral adipose tissue—emerging role in intestinal and mesenteric diseases

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 2, pages 103–111 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Adipose tissue has long been regarded as a passive type of connective tissue that stores energy as triglycerides and releases energy as free fatty acids, however, this point of view has now changed. The wide variety of products expressed and secreted by adipose tissue, such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin, mean that the total adipose tissue mass can be defined as a real endocrine organ. The anatomic, metabolic and biochemical characteristics of visceral adipose tissue make it interesting in the context of intestinal and mesenteric diseases. These characteristics include increased lipolysis, venous drainage via the portal vein and local glucocorticoid excess owing to the specific expression of 11-β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1. In this review, the role of the visceral adipose tissue and its secretory products in intestinal and mesenteric diseases is systematically reviewed, with special focus on 'creeping fat' in Crohn's disease and mesenteric panniculitis.

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Figure 1: Cellular compartments of the adipose tissue.
Figure 2: Characteristic features of creeping fat in Crohn's disease.
Figure 3: Hypothetical four-step concept of the pathogenesis of creeping fat in Crohn's disease.

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Acknowledgements

The photographs in Figure 2 were a gift from A Fürst of the Department of Surgery, University of Regensburg, Germany, whose generosity is much appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. doctor Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Germany

    Andreas Schäffler

  2. Director Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Germany

    Jürgen Schölmerich

  3. molecular biologist of the Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Germany

    Christa Büchler

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  1. Andreas Schäffler
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  2. Jürgen Schölmerich
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  3. Christa Büchler
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Correspondence to Andreas Schäffler.

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Schäffler, A., Schölmerich, J. & Büchler, C. Mechanisms of Disease: adipocytokines and visceral adipose tissue—emerging role in intestinal and mesenteric diseases. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2, 103–111 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0090

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