Adiponectin and Cardiovascular Functions

Abstract

Adiponectin first described in 1995 as a peptide of adipose tissue that becomes dysregulated in obesity. Adiponectin is an adipokine produced and secreted exclusively by both white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue. It accounts for about 0.01% of the total plasma protein in humans. It is the most abundant protein secreted by the adipose tissue.The role of adiponectin is mediated by receptors known as adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (Adipor1 and Aipor2). These receptors have seven transmembrane portions, but are functionally different from the G protein-coupled receptors, particularly because they have opposite polarity. An additional cell surface molecule called T-cadherin shows significant affinity for adiponectin. T-cadherin binds to adiponectin, which is not a signaling receptor due to lack of intracellular signaling domains, to confer full cardioprotective potential to the latter. Adiponectin stimulates NO production by activation of eNOS. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are active players in endothelial repair after vascular injury. Thus, adiponectin plays a protective role against cardiovascular disease not only by its action as insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory agent but also by direct positive effects on cardiac systole-diastolic function and myocardial perfusion.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter
One             

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………1-3

Chapter
Two

Overview of Adiponectin………………………………………………………………....4-13

Chapter
Three

Adiponectin and Cardiovascular
functions…………………...............................................14-17

Chapter
Four

Conclusion………………………………………………….…………………….............
18

References………………………………………………………………………………..19-27