Figure 1.

Interaction of stress axis and adipose circadian rhythms. Rhythmic adrenal glucocorticoid (GC) release negatively feeds back on the HPA axis and stimulates lipid mobilization in adipose tissue and release of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin supports lipogenesis in adipocytes, while the adipokine leptin inhibits insulin secretion from the pancreas and glucocorticoid release from the adrenal. Adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity in cells. External factors like stress and food intake affect the peripheral rhythms, while light exposure entrains the system via the SCN. For more details see text (autonomic nervous system (ANS)).