Fructose: A Key Factor in the Development of Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertension

Figure 4

Enlargement of adipocytes causes alterations in secretion of adipokines. Under normal conditions, adipocyte is a site of lipid synthesis, uptake, and storage. Secreted adipokines function as endocrine, paracrine, or autocrine mediators. Increased adipocyte size can lead to deleterious alterations in insulin sensitivity caused by a decrease in adiponectin secretion and the induction of inflammatory mediators. Modified from [11].