Authors: Beltowski, Jerzy; Jamroz-Wisniewska, Anna; Widomska, Sylwia

Source: Cardiovascular & Haematological Disorders - Drug Targets(Formerly Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders), Volume 8, Number 1, March 2008 , pp. 7-46(40)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Studies performed during the last decade indicate that adipose tissue is not only a site of triglyceride storage but also an active endocrine organ which secretes many biologically active mediators referred to as “adipokines”. In contrast to many adipokines which are overproduced in obese individuals and exert deleterious effects on insulin sensitivity, lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular system, such as leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, resistin, etc., adiponectin seems to be a unique adipokine which is produced in lower amounts in obese than in lean subjects and possesses predominantly beneficial activities, i.e. increases insulin sensitivity, stimulates fatty acid oxidation, inhibits inflammatory reaction and induces endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated vasorelaxation. Adiponectin binds two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Adiponectin knockout mice exhibit various manifestations of the metabolic syndrome such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and hypertension, as well as augmented neointima formation after vascular injury. Clinical studies indicate that plasma adiponectin concentration is lower in patients with essential hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Raising endogenous adiponectin level or increasing the sensitivity to this hormone may be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Among currently used drugs, thiazolidinediones (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ agonists) are most effective in elevating adiponectin level.

Keywords: adipose tissue; adiponectin; atherosclerosis; arterial hypertension; myocardial hypertrophy; heart failure

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152908783884920

Publication date: 2008-03-01

More about this publication?

• Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders - Drug Targets aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments on the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, genomics and biochemistry of contemporary molecular targets involved in cardiovascular and hematological disorders e.g. disease specific proteins, receptors, enzymes, genes. Each issue of the journal will contain a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics on drug targets involved in cardiovascular and hematological disorders. As the discovery, identification, characterization and validation of novel human drug targets for cardiovascular and hematological drug discovery continues to grow; this journal will be essential reading for all pharmaceutical scientists involved in drug discovery and development.

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