Rasvakudos

Rasvakudos, known in English as adipose tissue, is a loose connective tissue composed predominantly of adipocytes that store energy as triglycerides. In humans it serves as an energy reserve, an insulating layer, and a mechanical cushion. It also functions as an endocrine organ by secreting adipokines that influence appetite, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory processes.

Two main types exist: white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT); a third form, beige adipose tissue, arises within WAT under certain stimuli. Subcutaneous fat lies beneath the skin, while visceral fat surrounds internal organs; other depots include pericardial and mesenteric fat.

Adipocytes originate from mesenchymal stem cells; adipogenesis involves transcription factors such as PPARγ and C/EBPs. Functionally, rasvakudos stores triglycerides and releases free fatty acids during lipolysis, regulated by hormones including insulin and catecholamines. BAT contains abundant mitochondria and the protein UCP1, which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation to generate heat.

Rasvakudos also secretes adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and inflammatory cytokines, which influence hunger, insulin action, and immune responses. Clinically, excess adipose tissue is linked with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, while lipodystrophy involves abnormal fat distribution. Aging and reduced BAT activity affect energy expenditure and fat metabolism. The pattern of fat distribution, especially visceral fat, is associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Research areas include adipose tissue remodeling, adipokine signaling, and adipose-immune interactions, reflecting rasvakudos as an active player in metabolism and health.