Adipose tissue-derived nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Results from experimental stress and diabetes

Recently, adipobiology (adiposcience) became a focus of numerous studies showing that the adipose tissue is the body's largest endocrine and paracrine organ producing multiple signaling proteins collectively designated adipokines; at present these include more than hundred proteins. However, studies on adipobiology of neurotrophins have recently emerged, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) being examples of adipose-derived neurotrophins. Here we present data showing that NGF and BDNF are expressed in both white and brown adipose tissue following experimental stress (in mice) and in type 1 diabetes (in rats). We suggest that both neurotrophic and metabotrophic potentials of NGF and BDNF may be involved in the molecular mechanism of stress and diabetes and consequently, in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases.