ABSTRACT
Excess adipose tissue is associated with metabolic disturbances and disease, i.e., the metabolic syndrome (1,2). Somewhat paradoxically, inadequate adipose tissue manifests itself in a similar fashion (3,4). This observation demonstrates that adipose tissue is required for normal metabolic function. The inherited and acquired lipodystrophies constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders that share the common feature of inadequate adipose tissue stores.
