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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
08:34
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
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Decoding Apelin: Its Role in Metabolic Programming, Fetal Growth, and Gestational Complications
Nikolaos Loukas1,2, Dionysios Vrachnis2, Nikolaos Antonakopoulos3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneio General Hospital, 185 36 Piraeus, Greece.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 26, 2024
Summary
Apelin, an adipokine, regulates fetal growth and metabolic programming. Further research is needed to explore its therapeutic potential in pregnancy complications like placental insufficiency and gestational diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Placental insufficiency and gestational diabetes cause fetal growth issues and metabolic dysfunction.
- The exact mechanisms behind these pregnancy complications remain unclear.
- Apelin, an adipokine, is implicated in cardiovascular function, metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological actions of apelin in utero.
- To elucidate apelin's role in fetal growth and metabolic programming.
- To highlight apelin's potential in managing pregnancy-related disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on apelin's biological actions.
- Analysis of apelin's involvement in physiological processes.
- Examination of apelin's role in pregnancy complications.
Main Results:
- The apelinergic system is expressed in various tissues, influencing angiogenesis, cell proliferation, metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- Apelin plays a significant role in conditions such as diabetes mellitus, fetal growth abnormalities, fetal hypoxia, and preeclampsia.
- Apelin influences fetal growth and metabolic programming through its diverse biological actions.
Conclusions:
- Apelin is a key regulator of fetal growth and metabolic programming.
- Understanding apelin's mechanisms is crucial for addressing pregnancy complications.
- Further research into apelin's therapeutic potential is warranted for pregnancy disorders.
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