Adiponectin and its role in the obesity-induced insulin resistance and related complications.
It is now generally accepted that adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ producing a number of substances with an important role in the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure and a series of metabolic processes. Adiponectin is a recently discovered protein produced exclusively by adipocytes. A number of studies have shown that obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis are accompanied by decreased adiponectin levels and that adiponectin replacement under experimental settings is able to diminish both insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the physiology and pathophysiology of adiponectin and to discuss its potential in the treatment of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.
Haluzík
M
M
Third Department of Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U nemocnice 1, 128 08, Praha 2, Czech Republic. mhalu@lf1.cuni.cz
Parízková
J
J
Haluzík
M M
MM
D052242:Adiponectin; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins