Do adipokines link obesity to its related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases?

Abstract

The incidence of obesity has increased dramatically during recent decades. Obesity will cause a decline in life expectancy for the first time in recent history owing to numerous comorbid disorders, including increased risk of insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, dementia, airway disease and some cancers. However, the mechanisms linking increased adipose mass in obesity to these disorders are not fully understood. Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that releases a large number of cytokines and bioactive mediators, termed adipokines. Identification of novel adipokines, which may link obesity to its related diseases, represents a hot topic in obesity research. © 2010 Future Medicine Ltd.