The radical expansion and revision of techniques and experimental approaches employed in the study of adipose tissue are reflected in this revised book. Several updated chapters are combined with many new contributions from internationally recognized experts. Conventional and state-of-the-art methodologies are covered, as well as whole animal, cellular and molecular approaches which have emerged in or been extended to adipose tissue research over the past few years. This revised all-in-one manual is essential reading for newcomers to this burgeoning area as well as a valuable volume for more experienced researchers.

Adipose tissue is recognized to be exquisitely sensitive to hormone action, and is also now recognized as a secretory and endocrine organ required for reproduction and good health. Adipocytes are “smart” cells able within the tissue to communicate with surrounding cells, but also with various organs, particularly via leptin acting on the central nervous system. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) are known to be distinct tissues, whereas the heterogeneity of WAT depots is well est- lished. Unfortunately, excess WAT leads to obesity, which is the most common health problem in industrialized countries. Therefore, from both a scientific and a technical point of view, the time has come to create a survey of adipose tissues and their neglected adipocytes. In Adipose Tissue Protocols, I have attempted to gather together chapters from all areas of adipose tissue research—from in vivo to in vitro studies—and to provide methods covering a wide variety of techniques, including the choice of adipose tissue depot and of morphological techniques for the study of BAT and WAT; the isolation, subcellular fractionation, and transfection of adipocytes where the low density of these cells must be taken into account; assays of nutrient and ion fluxes and the metabolic aspects of nutrient uptake; assays of lipid-related enzymes; biopsies and quantification of lipid-related mRNAs; cultures of adipose precursor cells from WAT and BAT of various species, including human tissue; measurements of adipose secretory products; and assessment of WAT metabolism in vivo.

During the past decade, a wide range of scientific disciplines have adopted the use of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) as an important tool for research and discovery. In Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols, experts from the field, including members of the esteemed International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS), provide defined and established protocols in order to further codify the utilization of these powerful and accessible cells. With chapters organized around approaches spanning the discovery, pre-clinical, and clinical processes, much of the emphasis is placed on human ASC, while additional techniques involving small and large animal species are included. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series, the detailed contributions include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital reference text for experienced researchers as well as new students on the path to further exploring the incredible potential of ASCs.

The world is faced with an epidemic of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due to changes in dietary habits and the decrease in physical activity. Exercise is usually part of the prescription, the first line of defense, to prevent or treat metabolic disorders. However, we are still learning how and why exercise provides metabolic benefits in human health. This open access volume focuses on the cellular and molecular pathways that link exercise, muscle biology, hormones and metabolism. This will include novel “myokines” that might act as new therapeutic agents in the future.

The National Human Monitoring Program (NHMP) identifies concentrations of specific chemicals in human tissues, including toxicologic testing and risk assessment determinations. This volume evaluates the current activities of the NHMP; identifies important scientific, technical, and programmatic issues; and makes recommendations regarding the design of the program and use of its products.

This volume provides protocols describing the isolation and culture of diverse cell types stemming from the skin and the use of these cells and cell constructs for wound healing, bioengineering applications, and translational medicine purposes. The book is divided into three sections describing the isolation and culture of diverse skin cells, managing these cells within co-culture systems and skin models, as well as using these skin models in a test setting. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Skin Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital aid to basic and clinical researchers such as biologists, physicians, and biomedical engineers working with and being interested in basic science, and clinically and laboratory-applicable translational regenerative medicine.

Angiogenesis has recently played a critical role in regulation of adipose tissue expansion and regression. Like most other tissues in the body, adipose expansion and regression is accompanied by alteration of blood vessel density and structures. The vascular alteration plays an active role in regulation of adipose tissue size and functions. Targeting blood vessels in the adipose tissue have demonstrated to be a novel approach for possibly treatment of cancer, obesity and other metabolic diseases. This book provides the most updated information on this type research and discusses future opportunities for therapy..

Presented by the editors and more than ninety renowned experts on structural fat grafting, this extensively updated volume comprises their state-of-the-art experience and techniques on the use of autologous fat in many aspects of plastic surgery to correct, restore, and enhance patients' structural proportions and defects. Provides a strong foundation of the current Coleman technique of structural fat grafting, including available instrumentation, and the principles and basic concepts of fat injection. Comprehensive coverage on the biology underlying successful fat grafting, as well as excellent color illustrations of the step-by-step technique and descriptions of the effects of the aging process. This new edition contains the most current information on the regenerative potential of grafted fat as well as the long-term results of fat grafting, with updated cases demonstrating the staying power of transferred fat. A remarkable strength of this book is the purposeful inclusion of these worldwide contributors' many different approaches to harvesting, processing, and placing of lipoaspirate, with generous case examples of their results. Clinical applications for all parts of the body, from face and neck to breasts, and upper and lower extremities and genital areas reflect the wide utility of the procedure in reconstructive and aesthetic fields. A chapter on complications and the means to avoid them is given extensive coverage. An e-book and multiple clinical videos are included. This exciting new edition reflects the entire arc of the development of the revolutionary techniques of structural fat grafting, which have sprung from the growing awareness worldwide of the critical role of fat transplantation in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

The Molecular Nutrition of Fats presents the nutritional and molecular aspects of fats by assessing their dietary components, their structural and metabolic effects on the cell, and their role in health and disease. Subject areas include molecular mechanisms, membranes, polymorphisms, SNPs, genomic wide analysis, genotypes, gene expression, genetic modifications and other aspects. The book is divided into three sections, providing information on the general and introductory aspects, the molecular biology of the cell, and the genetic machinery and its function. Topics discussed include lipid-related molecules, dietary lipids and lipid metabolism, high fat diets, choline, cholesterol, membranes, trans-and saturated fatty acids, and lipid rafts. Other sections provide comprehensive discussions on G protein-coupled receptors, micro RNA, transcriptomics, transcriptional factors, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, beta-oxidation, cholesteryl ester transfer, beta-oxidation, lysosomes, lipid droplets, insulin mTOR signaling and ligands, and more. - Summarizes molecular nutrition in health as related to fats - Discusses the impact of fats on cancer, heart disease, dementia, and respiratory and intestinal disease - Includes preclinical, clinical and population studies - Covers the genome, the whole body and whole communities - Includes key facts, a mini dictionary of terms and summary points