For the past number of decades, adipose tissue has attracted significant interest due to its complicated composition and versatile functions. Adipose tissue is no longer considered to be just an energy-storing fat pad, but is also a key ring player in interaction networks between various organs and tissues. A wide range of factors released by adipose tissue are responsible for regulation of adipose tissue and other distant target tissues and cells, such as kidneys, skeletal muscle, the cardiovascular system and the immune system, in an auto-/paracrine manner. A mixture of bioactive molecules makes up the conditioned medium of adipose tissue. The beneficial role played by these bioactive molecules in angiogenesis, wound healing, tissue regeneration and immunomodulation has been demonstrated by various studies. Study of this conditioned medium helps deepen our understanding of underlying mechanisms and broadens the potential for therapeutic applications. In this review, we have aimed to improve fundamental understanding of conditioned medium from adipose tissue and to summarize recent efforts to study its therapeutic applications.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.