肥満・糖尿病克服を目的とした脂肪細胞研究の実践と栄養学研究への展開

White adipose tissue（WAT）is the main storage site for excess energy as triacylglycerides within specialized lipid-laden mature adipocytes. The expansion of WAT during the development of obesity can occur through increases in cell number（adipocyte hyperplasia）and in cell size（adipocyte hypertrophy）. Adipocytes are derived from preadipocytes which can proliferate throughout life to increase WAT mass. In addition, adipocyte cell death observed within pathologically expanding adipose tissue is also one of the important factors that contribute to the pathophysiological consequences of obesity. The objective of this review is to discuss the precise contribution of adipocyte life cycle to the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-related disease and to indicate substantial progress in our lab concerning our knowledge of bioactive components in functional foods and their links to obesity.