01 June 2006
Apelin and visfatin: unique "beneficial" adipokines upregulated in obesity?
Jerzy BełtowskiMed Sci Monit 2006; 12(6): RA112-119 :: ID: 451282
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that adipose tissue hormones ("adipokines") are involved in the pathogenesis of various complications of obesity, including hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Apelin and visfatin are two recently described adipokines, although they are also synthesized outside adipose tissue. Apelin exists in at least three forms, consisting of 13, 17, or 36 amino acids, all originating from a common 77-amino-acid precursor. In the cardiovascular system, apelin elicits endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide-mediated vasorelaxation and reduces arterial blood pressure. In addition, apelin demonstrates potent and long-lasting positive inotropic activity which is preserved even in injured myocardium and is not accompanied by myocardial hypertrophy. Apelin synthesis in adipocytes is stimulated by insulin, and plasma apelin level markedly increases in obesity associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. In addition to regulating cardiovascular function, apelin inhibits water intake and vasopressin production. Visfatin, previously recognized as a pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is abundantly expressed in visceral adipose tissue and is upregulated in some, but not all, animal models of obesity. Preliminary studies suggest that plasma visfatin concentration is also increased in humans with abdominal obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Visfatin binds to the insulin receptor at a site distinct from insulin and exerts hypoglycemic effect by reducing glucose release from hepatocytes and stimulating glucose utilization in peripheral tissues. Thus, apelin and visfatin are unique among adipose tissue hormones in that they are upregulated in the obese state and both exert primarily beneficial effects.
Keywords: Cytokines - metabolism, Cardiovascular System - drug effects, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - metabolism, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - pharmacology, Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase, Obesity - metabolism, Water-Electrolyte Balance
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variation of Medical Comorbidities in Oral Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Study at Jazan ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943884
08 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Foot Structure in Preschool Children Based on Body MassMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943765
15 Apr 2024 : Laboratory Research
The Role of Copper-Induced M2 Macrophage Polarization in Protecting Cartilage Matrix in OsteoarthritisMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943738
07 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials: A Questionnaire-Based Study of 179 Male Third- and Fourt...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943468
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952