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Adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease

Aimin Xu1, Paul M Vanhoutte

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|January 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Adipokines from adipose tissue significantly impact cardiovascular health. While most are proinflammatory, adiponectin offers protection, highlighting their role in obesity-related heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • Epicardial and perivascular adipose tissues secrete adipokines crucial for cardiovascular homeostasis.
  • Adipokines form the 'adipo-cardiovascular axis,' mediating communication between adipose tissue, heart, and vasculature.
  • Dysfunctional adipose tissue's altered adipokine production contributes to obesity-related cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders linked to obesity and diabetes.
  • To focus on adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) as key adipokines in cardiovascular disease.
  • To highlight adipokines as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on adipokines and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of data from animal studies and clinical investigations.
  • Focus on the roles of adiponectin and A-FABP in cardiovascular pathology.

Main Results:

  • Most adipokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, resistin, A-FABP, and lipocalin-2, are proinflammatory and linked to cardiac and endothelial dysfunction.
  • Adiponectin exhibits protective, pleiotropic effects on the heart and blood vessels, counteracting cardiovascular disease.
  • Adiponectin and A-FABP are identified as significant prognostic biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions:

  • Adipokines play a dual role in cardiovascular health, with opposing effects from different types.
  • Adiponectin and A-FABP are particularly important in obesity-related cardiovascular disease, serving as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
  • Understanding adipokine function is vital for developing strategies against obesity- and diabetes-associated cardiovascular disorders.

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