Adipokines: linking obesity and cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Obesity is fast becoming one of the most important contributors to cardiovascular disease. Adipose tissue is gaining recognition as a key endocrine organ that secretes a growing number of adipokines, linking adiposity with inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and the initiation of atherosclerosis. In particular, accumulation of visceral adipose tissue is implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease as it is associated with increased macrophage infiltration and oversecretion of proinflammatory and prothrombotic factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, leptin, resistin and angiotensinogen, and reduced secretion of the antiatherogenic factor adiponectin. As adipokines represent a key molecular link between obesity and the atherogenic state, research directed at understanding the physiology and biochemistry of these factors should open the door for discovery of novel therapeutics.

Keywords::

• adipokine
• atherosclerosis
• cardiovascular disease
• inflammation
• obesity

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.