Systemic regulation of adipose metabolism.

White adipose tissue serves as a critical energy storage depot and endocrine organ. Adipocytes are subject to numerous levels of regulation, including neuronal, endocrine and metabolic. While insulin is the classical endocrine regulator of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, other important endocrine hormones also control adipose tissue physiology. In this review, we will focus on the contribution of the pituitary in the modulation of adipocyte function, through the direct release of growth hormone as well as via the regulation of the thyroid gland and release of thyroid hormone. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Modulation of Adipose Tissue in Health and Disease.