Is the Retinol-Binding Protein 4 a Possible Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases in Obesity?

Abstract

Although many preventive and treatment approaches have been proposed, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Current epidemiological data require the specification of new causative factors, as well as the development of improved diagnostic tools to provide better cardiovascular management. Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue among patients suffering from obesity not only constitutes one of the main risk factors of CVD development but also alters adipokines. Increased attention is devoted to bioactive adipokines, which are also produced by the adipose tissue. The retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been associated with numerous CVDs and is presumably associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. With this in mind, exploring the role of RBP4, particularly among patients with obesity, could be a promising direction and could lead to better CVD prevention and management in this patient group. In our review, we summarized the current knowledge about RBP4 and its association with essential aspects of cardiovascular disease—lipid profile, intima-media thickness, atherosclerotic process, and diet. We also discussed the RBP4 gene polymorphisms essential from a cardiovascular perspective.

Adipokines and Arterial Stiffness in Obesity

“…Moreover, RBP-4 induces the macrophage secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2, and MCP-1. It has been associated with a non-favorable lipid profile [ 133 ] which may also contribute to vascular alterations.…”

Two- and Three-Dimensional Spectrofluorimetric Qualitative Analysis of Selected Vegetable Oils for Biomedical Applications

“…Since ROS are important pathologic factors in different inflammatory conditions, it seems that argan oil could have supportive effects, especially on diabetic patients and in obesity [13][14][15]. Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch) seed oil showed beneficial influence on different aspects of metabolic and inflammatory-mediated phenomena, in a mice model of obesity induced with high-fat diet [16]. Qu et al (2019) [16] showed that a high-fat diet combined with kiwifruit seed oil (1.0-3.0 mL/kg•bw) for 12 weeks reduced bodyweight by decreasing the amount of fatty tissue and serum lipid concentration, improving insulin resistance and decreasing glycaemia.…”

“…Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch) seed oil showed beneficial influence on different aspects of metabolic and inflammatory-mediated phenomena, in a mice model of obesity induced with high-fat diet [16]. Qu et al (2019) [16] showed that a high-fat diet combined with kiwifruit seed oil (1.0-3.0 mL/kg•bw) for 12 weeks reduced bodyweight by decreasing the amount of fatty tissue and serum lipid concentration, improving insulin resistance and decreasing glycaemia. Molecular analysis revealed a significant decrease in mRNA levels of multiple proinflammatory mediators, like TNF-α, interleukine-6 (IL-6), or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and down-regulation of several genes expression involved in thermogenesis, as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) [16].…”

“…Qu et al (2019) [16] showed that a high-fat diet combined with kiwifruit seed oil (1.0-3.0 mL/kg•bw) for 12 weeks reduced bodyweight by decreasing the amount of fatty tissue and serum lipid concentration, improving insulin resistance and decreasing glycaemia. Molecular analysis revealed a significant decrease in mRNA levels of multiple proinflammatory mediators, like TNF-α, interleukine-6 (IL-6), or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and down-regulation of several genes expression involved in thermogenesis, as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) [16]. Additionally, kiwifruit seed oil significantly ameliorated gastrointestinal microbiota by decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, revealing the potential to change the typical dysbiotic profile of gut microbiota in obesity [16].…”

Immunopathology of Atherosclerosis and Related Diseases: Focus on Molecular Biology

“…Rychter with coauthors [ 29 ] in their review summarized the current knowledge about RBP4 and its association with essential aspects of cardiovascular disease—lipid profile, intima-media thickness, atherosclerotic process, and diet. They also discussed the RBP4 gene polymorphisms essential from a cardiovascular perspective.…”