Back to the heart: The protective role of adiponectin

The emerging role of adiponectin in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that adiponectin may perform a neuroprotective function in the CNS via mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. As additional details concerning the anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiremodeling properties of adiponectin have emerged [27,[83][84][85], it has become apparent that adiponectin may exert neuroprotective effects via multiple mechanisms. A meta-analysis reported that the circulating total adiponectin level is not related to the risk of stroke but that after controlling for metabolic factors that positively correlate with the adiponectin levels, the adiponectin levels are directly related to stroke risk [86].…”

Omentin-1 and risk of myocardial infarction and stroke: Results from the EPIC-Potsdam cohort study

“…Interestingly, adiponectin and omentin-1 share the same pattern of physiological effects i.e. both are downregulated in obesity [3,28], both have been proposed to have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity [1,29], and both were discussed as cardio-protective adipokines [28,30]. However, the association between omentin-1 and stroke risk was particularly strong among individuals with high adiponectin levels compared to those with low levels.…”

Endothelial and Metabolic Function Interactions in Overweight/Obese Children:

“…Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that releases adipocytokines both pro-inflammatory, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), raising the C reactive protein (CRP), and antiinflammatory substances such as adiponectin 6) . Adiponectin protein is probably an insulin modulator and plays a protective role against inflammation and atherosclerosis, stimulating the production of endothelial nitric oxide and inhibiting the accumulation of lipids in macrophages [7][8][9][10] . Several studies showed that hypoadiponectinemia is associated with greater BMI, waist circumference, and insulin resistance in obese children 11,12) .…”

“…High molecular weight adiponectin acts on cardiac muscular cells protecting them from ischemia/ reperfusion damages by improving cyclooxygenases-2 activity and promoting nitric oxide (NO) production; it obstacles the promotion of cardiac fibrosis and the morphological and structural alterations derived from hypertrophic stimuli, while it ameliorates contractile function by inducing calcium influx into myotubes. On vascular beds, it improves endothelial function, inflammation, muscular remodeling, and angiogenesis, i.e., it promotes atheroprotective actions 7) . Abdominal obesity lowers serum levels of adiponectin since childhood 13) .…”