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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Renal handling of adipokines
1Dorrance Hamilton Research Laboratories, Division of Nephrology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa., USA.
Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now considered as one of the strongest risk factors for all cause mortality and cardiovascular events. However, the link between CKD and systemic events is unclear. The role of the kidney is primarily considered a target organ during the development of obesity as altered production of adipokines from visceral adipocytes, however, it should also be recognized that the kidney itself could alter the clearance and production of adiopokines. In this chapter, we provide a discussion of renal handling of a variety of adipokines. Specifically, there is a growing body of data supporting a major role for the kidney in clearance of insulin, leptin, and TGF-Beta. In addition, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiotensin II, and resistin may also be altered by the kidney. The mechanistic regulation of renal handling by the kidney of a variety of circulating adipokines, however is poorly defined. We conclude that the kidney has pivotal roles in the regulation of adipokines and that altered renal handling of adipokines may contribute to the imbalance of factors that ultimately lead to progressive cardiovascular and systemic disease.
Insights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly increases mortality risk. The kidneys play a crucial role in regulating adipokines, and impaired renal handling of these factors may drive systemic and cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular events.
- The kidney's role in systemic diseases, particularly obesity, is increasingly recognized beyond being a target organ.
- Altered production and clearance of adipokines by visceral adipocytes and the kidney itself are implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the renal handling of various adipokines.
- To highlight the kidney's role in the clearance and production of adipokines.
- To explore the link between CKD, adipokine imbalance, and systemic/cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on renal handling of adipokines.
- Discussion of specific adipokines influenced by kidney function, including insulin, leptin, TGF-Beta, PAI-1, VEGF, angiotensin II, and resistin.
- Exploration of the mechanistic regulation of renal adipokine handling.
Main Results:
- The kidney plays a significant role in clearing insulin, leptin, and TGF-Beta.
- Kidney function can also alter levels of PAI-1, VEGF, angiotensin II, and resistin.
- The precise mechanisms regulating renal adipokine handling are not well-defined.
Conclusions:
- The kidney has pivotal roles in regulating circulating adipokines.
- Altered renal handling of adipokines contributes to an imbalance of factors implicated in progressive cardiovascular and systemic disease.
- CKD's impact on adipokine regulation is a key factor in its association with adverse health outcomes.
