Omentin: linking metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
Omentin is an adipokine preferentially produced by visceral adipose tissue with insulin-sensitizing effects. Its expression is reduced in obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Omentin is also positively related with adiponectin, high-density lipoprotein levels and negatively related with body mass index, waist circumference, insulin resistance, triglyceride and leptin levels. Lower plasma omentin levels contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in obese or overweight patients. Omentin has anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, anti-cardiovascular disease and antidiabetic properties. With respect to vascular biology, omentin causes vasodilatation of blood vessels and attenuates C-reactive protein-induced angiogenesis. The ability of omentin to reduce insulin resistance in conjunction with its anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties makes it a promising therapeutic target. Thus, omentin may have beneficial effects on the metabolic syndrome and could potentially be used as a biologic marker and/or pharmacologic agent/target in this respect.
Ji-Yin
JY
Zhou
Lawrence
L
Chan
National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. zhoushiwen2007@yahoo.com.
Shi-Wen
SW
Zhou
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D037102:Lectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; C432397:ITLN1 protein, human; D037102:Lectins