New adipokines.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, secreting numerous adipokines.
• Adipokines regulate key physiological processes including glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
• Leptin and adiponectin are well-studied adipokines involved in energy metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the roles of three recently discovered adipokines: apelin, fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21), and neuroregulin-4 (NRG4).
• To highlight their emerging importance in metabolic regulation.
• To discuss their potential as therapeutic targets for obesity-associated metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent experimental and clinical data.
• Focus on the discovery and functional characterization of apelin, FGF21, and NRG4.
• Analysis of their involvement in metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

• Apelin, FGF21, and NRG4 are identified as key adipokines with significant metabolic functions.
• These adipokines influence glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and energy balance.
• Emerging data link these adipokines to various metabolic disorders.

Conclusions:

• Apelin, FGF21, and NRG4 represent a new generation of adipokines with critical roles in metabolism.
• These adipokines hold significant promise as therapeutic targets for managing obesity and related metabolic diseases.
• Further research into their mechanisms of action is warranted.