Adipoparacrinology: periprostatic adipose tissue as an example

The global epidemic of obesity (globesity) and related cardiometabolic and cancer diseases has focused attention on adipose tissue biology and the role played by adipose-secreted bioactive molecules (adipokines, neurotrophic factors, fatty acids, prostaglandins, steroid hormones, vitamin D3, NO, H 2 S) in the regulation of a wide array of physiological and pathological processes. Until recently, physicians have looked upon obesity as an accumulation of external adipose tissue (subcutaneous and abdominal). This was routinely evaluated by anthropometric measurements including body mass index and waist, hip and, recently, neck circumference. However, recent data using non-invasive imaging methods (echography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography), reveal a novel picture of adipotopography (fat mapping). Together with secretory functions, such a topography has been conceptualized as two major subfields of adipobiology, adipoendocrinology and adipoparacrinology. Here we introduce periprostatic adipose tissue as an example of adipoparacrinology of prostate cancer; its implication in the therapy is also outlined. Adipobiology 2011; 3: 61-65.