PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München

Jiang, M.* ; Stifel, U.* ; Blüher, M. ; Lefebvre, H.* ; Bornstein, S.R.* ; Bechmann, N.*

Adrenal - adipose tissue crosstalk in health and disease.

Eur. J. Endocrinol. 193, R83-R96 (2025)
Publ. Version/Full Text DOI PMC
Free by Publisher
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Adipose tissue closely interacts with the adrenal glands to regulate metabolism, energy balance and stress responses. While the adrenal cortex secretes glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids that influence adipose tissue distribution, lipid storage, and browning, the adrenal medulla releases catecholamines that acutely activate thermogenesis in brown and beige adipocytes. Under physiological conditions, this bidirectional crosstalk maintains energy homeostasis and cardiovascular stability. However, in adrenal diseases such as Cushing syndrome, primary aldosteronism, adrenocortical carcinoma or pheochromocytoma, excess hormone secretion disrupts this balance, leading to adipose tissue dysfunction, altered adipokine secretion, and adverse metabolic profiles, including insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, and hypertension. Emerging evidence suggests that peri-adrenal adipose tissue may modulate adrenal tumor biology through endocrine and paracrine signals, and immune cell infiltration, with potential effects on disease progression and clinical presentation. Uncovering cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between adrenal gland and adipose tissue may reveal new therapeutic targets for reduction of cardiometabolic complications in patients with adrenal disorders. Here, we discuss how two endocrine organs - adrenal gland and adipose tissue - interact with each other under physiological and pathophysiological conditions and examine whether these interactions influence the progression of adrenal tumors and how this affects systemic metabolic health.
Altmetric
Additional Metrics?
[➜Log in]
Edit extra informations Login
Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Adipokines ; Catecholamines ; Cushing Syndrome ; Fat Browning ; Paraganglioma ; Primary Aldosteronism ; Steroids; Mineralocorticoid Receptor; Aldosterone Secretion; Brown-fat; Adipocyte Dysfunction; Cushings-syndrome; 11-beta-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase; Catecholamine Synthesis; Adrenergic-stimulation; Insulin Sensitivity; Metabolic Syndrome
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0804-4643
e-ISSN 1479-683X
Journal European Journal of Endocrinology
Quellenangaben Volume: 193, Issue: 6, Pages: R83-R96 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Oxford University Press
Publishing Place Great Clarendon St, Oxford Ox2 6dp, England
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
Grants CRC
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Transregio 205