title: Retinol-binding protein 4 : a possible role in cardiovascular complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipocyte-secreted hormone proposed to link obesity with insulin resistance. However, the role of RBP4 in cardiovascular complications is yet to be fully understood. The present study is aimed to decipher the association between RBP4 with pro-inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in diet-induced obese and hyperlipidaemic mice. To understand the correlation, rimonabant, an anti-obesity drug, has been used to relieve the atherosclerotic predisposition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adipose and/or aortic tissue expressions of RBP4, pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and circulating LDL levels were measured in high fat (HF)-fed female C57BL/6 and high cholesterol (HC)-fed apolipoprotein E3 (ApoE3) Leiden mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mice fed a HF diet had a significantly increased adipose expression of RBP4, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and down-regulated adiponectin mRNA levels. A significant increase in aortic RBP4 and MCP-1 expression and circulating levels of LDL and C-reactive protein (CRP) was found in the ApoE3 mice fed a HC diet. Interestingly, rimonabant treatment lowered the elevated aortic RBP4, MCP-1 expressions and significantly reduced the serum levels of LDL, CRP, RBP4 and MCP-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that RBP4 is positively associated with markers of inflammation in obese and pro-atherogenic conditions and could play a role in a predisposition to atherosclerosis. Furthermore, our results indicate that rimonabant may improve vascular function by modulating RBP4 along with pro-inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Zydus Research Centre, Sarkhej-Bavla Highway No. 8A, Moraiya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. mukul.jain@zyduscadila.com
authors.forename: Jogeswar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.forename: Manoranjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Aviseka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pandya
authors.forename: Abhijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balaraman
authors.forename: Mukul R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D054392:Adipokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000502:physiology*; D000077285:Rimonabant
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D017931:DNA Primers; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; C502487:Rbp4 protein, mouse; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D002784:Cholesterol; D000077285:Rimonabant