Targeting adiponectin for cardioprotection

Abstract

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived plasma protein which has a reduced concentration in subjects with obesity-related diseases. Adiponectin has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which lead to beneficial actions on various obesity-linked complications. Recent experimental findings have shown that adiponectin contributes to protection against cardiac remodelling after pressure overload and cardiac injury following ischaemia–reperfusion. Thus, adiponectin could emerge as a potential cardioprotective agent for the treatment of several pathological heart conditions.

Keywords::

• adiponectin
• anti-inflammatory
• cardioprotection
• myocardial infarction

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH grants AR40197, HL77774, HL81587 and AG15052 to K Walsh. N Ouchi was supported by a Department of Medicine Pilot Project Grant from Boston University. R Shibata was supported by grants from the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Northeast Affiliate.