adipokudos

Adipokudos is a term used in some contemporary discussions of adipose tissue biology to describe a proposed class of signaling factors produced by adipose tissue that influence metabolism, inflammation, and inter-organ communication. The concept is related to adipokines but is sometimes reserved for newly identified or not-yet-classified adipose-derived cues whose physiological and receptor targets are still being evaluated.

Usage and status: The term is not universally standardized and appears sporadically in reviews and editorials rather than as a formal category in major scientific databases. Some researchers use adipokudos to refer to candidate molecules generated by adipocytes or adipose-resident cells that may act in endocrine, paracrine, or autocrine fashion. Because specific agents and receptors are not consistently defined, there is no agreed list of adipokudos.

Biological roles and evidence: Proponents hypothesize that adipokudos participate in energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, lipid handling, inflammatory signaling, and neural regulation of appetite and behavior. Most evidence to date is preclinical, derived from cell culture and animal studies, with limited translational data in humans. Methodological variability and a lack of standardized assays have contributed to uncertainty about the magnitude and relevance of adipokudo signaling.

Status and outlook: The term remains exploratory and controversial within the field. Critics argue that it risks conflating diverse adipose-derived signals under a single umbrella, while supporters view it as a useful umbrella for emerging discoveries. Ongoing work aims to identify specific molecules, clarify receptors and pathways, and determine clinical significance in obesity and metabolic disease. See also adipokines, adipose tissue, metabolism.