Adipokines and blood pressure control

Abstract

Purpose of review In contrast to previous understanding, adipocytes are now known to produce an array of factors collectively termed “adipokines”, several of which have effects on the cardiovascular system. The marked rise in prevalence of obesity warrants investigation into the role of adipocyte-derived factors in the regulation of blood pressure. For example, dysregulated production of specific adipokines in the setting of obesity may contribute to hypertension commonly experienced in obese subjects. This editorial highlights current concepts for regulation of adipokine production by adipocytes and their potential role in blood pressure regulation. Recent findings Adipocytes synthesize and release several factors that have been linked to blood pressure control, including adiponectin, leptin, angiotensin, perivascular relaxation factors and resistin. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant production and release of these factors from adipocytes may contribute to the high prevalence of hypertension in the obese population. However, additional studies are warranted to define precise mechanisms for blood pressure regulation by these factors, and to delineate their role in obesity-related hypertension. Summary Studies aimed at determining the role of adipocyte-derived factors in blood pressure regulation during normal physiology and in the setting of obesity are needed.

Adiponectin Levels and the Risk of Hypertension

“…8 However, in vitro and animal studies suggest a causal role of adiponectin in blood pressure regulation by ameliorating endothelial dysfunction, increasing nitric oxide production, promoting anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes, and suppressing sympathetic nervous system activity. 9–11 Moreover, angiotensin receptor antagonists may reduce blood pressure by inducing adiponectin secretion. 12 Despite accumulating experimental evidence on the etiological role of adiponectin in hypertension, data on plasma adiponectin levels and hypertension in humans are inconsistent and a dose-response relationship has not been established.…”

New Obesity Indices and Adipokines in Normotensive Patients and Patients With Hypertension

“…2 Some investigators suggest that adiponectin protects against HTN via an endothelial cell-dependent mechanism. 8 Recently, a positive association between resistin and HTN has also been described, although the mechanistic basis for this remains unclear. 2 Obesity and HTN are associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) and cardiometabolic risk.…”

Vitamin D and Vascular Disease: The Current and Future Status of Vitamin D Therapy in Hypertension and Kidney Disease

“…In vitro experiments have shown that vitamin D reduces the deleterious effect of advanced glycation products on the endothelium, improves activity of the nitric oxide system, reduces inflammatory parameters, and enhances prostacyclin production (20–23). In conjunction with these basic findings, human studies exploring mechanisms of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of hypertension reported that concentrations of vitamin D metabolites were associated with improved endothelial function and oxidative stress (24–28), and were associated with circulating concentrations of adipocytokines implicated with blood pressure control (29–33). …”