BACKGROUND: Due to the public health problem represented by obesity, the study of
adipose tissue, particularly of the adipocyte, is central to the understanding of metabolic
abnormalities associated with the development of obesity. The concept of adipocyte as
endocrine and functional cell is not totally understood and can be currently defined as the
capacity of the adipocyte to sense, manage, and send signals to maintain energy
equilibrium in the body. Adipocyte functionality is lost during obesity and has been related to …