The Role of Adipokines in Health and Disease

Abstract

Adipokines are cell-signaling proteins secreted by adipose tissue that has been related to a low-grade state of inflammation and different pathologies. The present review aims to analyze the role of adipokines in health and disease in order to understand the important functions and effects of these cytokines. For this aim, the present review delves into the type of adipocytes and the cytokines produced, as well as their functions; the relations of adipokines in inflammation and different diseases such as cardiovascular, atherosclerosis, mental diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer, and eating behaviors; and finally, the role of microbiota, nutrition, and physical activity in adipokines is discussed. This information would allow for a better understanding of these important cytokines and their effects on body organisms.

Keywords: adipokines; atherosclerosis disease; cancer; cardiovascular disease; eating behavior; inflammation; mental disease; metabolic disease; microbiota; nutrition; physical activity.

Figure 1

The behavior of adipokines in relation to the adipose tissue status of an individual. In healthy adipose tissue, anti-inflammatory adipokines increase while proinflammatory adipokines decrease, whereas the opposite is true in obese adipose tissue, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Figure 2

Metabolic illness is described by the altered behavior of adipokines. A rise in proinflammatory adipokines and a fall in anti-inflammatory adipokines can have an effect on appetite and other factors. Liver steatosis and cardiovascular atherogenesis are both possible. In addition, insulin production from the pancreas is disrupted and insulin sensitivity is compromised.

Figure 3

The pathogenesis of obesity induces a low-grade inflammation that generates a dysregulation in the adipose tissue and microbiota, which affects our immune system and results in an increase in intestinal permeability.