Title:The Role of Adipocytokines in Atherogenesis and Atheroprogression
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Author(s): Federico Carbone, Francois Mach and Fabrizio Montecucco
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Adipokines, adiponectin, atherosclerosis, leptin, adipose tissue.
Abstract: Research investigations on adipose tissue were focused for several decades on its “storage”
function. Emerging evidence unveiled adipose tissue as an endocrine organ releasing a several mediators
termed as adipokines. Adipokine-mediated functions include both physiological and pathophysiological
roles such as regulation of energy metabolism, immune response and vascular homeostasis, as well as inflammatory
and metabolic diseases (i.e. atherogenesis, diabetes and obesity clustered in the concept of metabolic syndrome). A
dysregulation of adipokine levels has been also suggested as a potential common mechanism underlying these disorders.
For instance, an unbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines was positively associated with traditional risk
factors (dyslipidaemia, hypertension, insulin resistance) in obesity, diabetes and atherogenesis. Adipokine-mediated activities
particularly affected endothelial dysfunction/activation and intraplaque inflammation/vulnerability. The purpose of
this narrative review is to provide an overview on the role of adipokines in atherogenesis. Evidence from basic research
studies about adipokine-induced regulation of vascular and immune cell subsets will be discussed. Finally, conflicting results
from clinical trials we be reported, with an attempt to better understand the reason why promising basic research results
did not allow a speedy “into human” translation for clinical management of atherogenesis.
