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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2011; 17(33): 3776-3784
Published online Sep 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i33.3776
Published online Sep 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i33.3776
Spleen: A new role for an old player?
Giovanni Tarantino, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Silvia Savastano, Annamaria Colao, Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Division of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Domenico Capone, Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: Tarantino G conceived the study, critically analyzed the research articles and wrote the manuscript; Capone D revised the manuscript concerning the neurotransmitter; Savastano S and Colao A contributed to the section on hormone/vitamin D.
Correspondence to: Giovanni Tarantino, MD, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. tarantin@unina.it
Telephone: +39-81-7462024 Fax: +39-81-5466152
Received: October 30, 2010
Revised: December 13, 2010
Accepted: December 20, 2010
Published online: September 7, 2011
Revised: December 13, 2010
Accepted: December 20, 2010
Published online: September 7, 2011
Abstract
The spleen could be considered a neglected organ. To date, it has been deemed an ancillary organ in portal hypertension or an organ localization in lymphoproliferative diseases, even though it has had significant attention in infectious diseases for some time. Now, it is thought to be central in regulating the immune system, a metabolic asset and involved in endocrine function with regard to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The main mechanisms involved in this complex network will be critically discussed in this article.
Keywords: Endocrine function; Immune system; Metabolic asset; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Spleen