Abstract

ADIPOKINES AND ITS THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS

Krupa Saji, Jeny Mary Thomas, Abiya Jose, *Renuka R. and Dr. Elessy Abraham

Abstract

Adipocytes or lipocytes are fat storing cells but now it is recognized to be an active participant in energy homeostasis and physiological functions. Recently, endocrine and secretory effects have been discovered in fat tissues. Adipokines (“adipo” – fat, “kinos” – movements) are bioactive molecule secreted by adipocytes. More than 600 bioactive molecules (leptin, adiponectin, resistin and visfatin, cytokines and chemokines such as TNF - alpha, interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 etc.) are secreted by lipocytes. This review describes about the current status of Leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, apelin, cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 etc. Adipokines may represent link between obesity and hypertension, endothelial function, hemostasis and immune cell infiltration in adipose tissue. Overall, the current report suggests that adipokines plays an inevitable role in human body. Obesity and obesity-related disorders play an important role in clinical medicine. Adipose tissue, with its soluble mediators called adipocytokines, has emerged as a major endocrine organ. They play major roles in key aspects of metabolism, such as insulin resistance, fatty acid oxidation, inflammation and immunity. It has been recognized for many decades that obesity is accompanied by an increase in cancer and potentially some immune-mediated diseases. Understanding this new exciting world of adipocytokines will be of importance in the development of novel therapies for obesityassociated diseases. Several studies have investigated plasma levels of adiponectin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, to establish correlations with the underlying state of insulin resistance and with the type and severity of hepatic damage. Hepatitis C is another disease where adipokines may represent a link between viral infection, steatosis, and metabolic disturbances. This review describes how adipokines regulate inflammation in these diseases and their therapeutic implications.

Keywords: Adipokines, leptin, apelin, adiponectin, visfatin, vaspin.