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Review
. 2015 Nov 13;6(6):748-62.
doi: 10.3945/an.115.008292. Print 2015 Nov.

Retinol binding protein 4 in relation to diet, inflammation, immunity, and cardiovascular diseases

Fateme Zabetian-Targhi  1 , Mohammad J Mahmoudi  2 , Nima Rezaei  3 , Maryam Mahmoudi  4
Affiliations
Review

Retinol binding protein 4 in relation to diet, inflammation, immunity, and cardiovascular diseases

Fateme Zabetian-Targhi et al. Adv Nutr. .

Abstract

Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), previously called retinol binding protein (RBP), is considered a specific carrier of retinol in the blood. It is also an adipokine that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance. RBP4 seems to be correlated with cardiometabolic markers in inflammatory chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It has recently been suggested that inflammation produced by RBP4 induces insulin resistance and CVD. The clinical relevance of this hypothesis is discussed in this review. Knowledge concerning the association of RBP4 with inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and CVDs as well as concerning the role of diet and antioxidants in decreasing RBP4 concentrations are discussed. Special attention is given to methodologies used in previously published studies and covariates that should be controlled when planning new studies on this adipokine.

Keywords: adipokines; antioxidants; cardiovascular diseases; diet; immunity; inflammation; retinol binding protein 4.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author disclosures: F Zabetian-Targhi, MJ Mahmoudi, N Rezaei, and M Mahmoudi, no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
RBP4 in relation to diet, antioxidants, oxidative stress, inflammation, and CVD risk factors. C3G, cyanidin 3-glucoside; CAC, coronary artery calcification; Ca/D, calcium and vitamin D; CIMT, carotid intima media thickness; CRP, C-reactive protein; CVD, cardiovascular disease; E-selectin, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1; FABP4, fatty acid binding protein 4; FMD, flow-mediated dilation; FVJC, fruit and vegetable juice concentrate; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; MDA, malondialdehyde; RBP4, retinol binding protein 4; Uri-8-isoprostane, urinary 8-isoprostane; VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; 8-isoPGF2α, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α 13-HOD, 13-(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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