The traditional view of adipose tissue as a passive reservoir for excess energy storage is no longer valid. The identification and characterization of leptin in 1994 firmly established adipose tissue as an endocrine organ. In addition to leptin, other cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, resistin, adiponectin, and vaspin have been identified as adipose-secreted proteins that are collectively referred to as adipocytokines. Adipocytokines have numerous functions including regulation of satiety, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, vascular function, and inflammation. Interestingly, obesity increases the production of adipocytokines which cause insulin resistance but decreases the production of adiponectin, reducing insulin resistance.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the role of adipocytokines in the development of insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome and effects of exercise and physical activity on adipocytokines, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome components. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Latest findings which identify the role of exercise/physical activity in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
• Advances in the role of adipocytokines in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
• Advances in identifying the role of exercise/physical activity in adipocytokines
• Effect of exercise and/or physical activity on the changes in the individual components of the metabolic syndrome

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/ije/adipt/ according to the following timetable: