The Role of Adipokines in the Pathologies of the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Adipokines are protein hormones secreted by adipose tissue in response to disruptions in physiological homeostasis within the body's systems. The regulatory functions of adipokines within the central nervous system (CNS) are multifaceted and intricate, and they have been identified in a number of pathologies. Therefore, specific adipokines have the potential to be used as biomarkers for screening purposes in neurological dysfunctions. The systematic review presented herein focuses on the analysis of the functions of various adipokines in the pathogenesis of CNS diseases. Thirteen proteins were selected for analysis through scientific databases. It was found that these proteins can be identified within the cerebrospinal fluid either by their ability to modify their molecular complex and cross the blood-brain barrier or by being endogenously produced within the CNS itself. As a result, this can correlate with their measurability during pathological processes, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, depression, or brain tumors.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; adipokines; adipose tissue; depression; encephalitis; meningitis; multiple sclerosis; neurological dysfunctions; protein hormones.

Figure 1

Adipokines and their impact on central nervous system pathologies. Graphical illustration depicting the roles of various adipokines in the pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS). Brain disorders are represented on the left, with specific conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, brain tumors, psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and infections. Adjacent to each brain disorder, the adipokines associated with these conditions are shown, indicating their respective upregulated (↑) or downregulated (↓) expression levels. This comprehensive overview highlights the complex interplay between adipokines and CNS pathologies, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for future research and clinical interventions. Abbreviations: IGFBP, insulin-like growth factor binding protein. Created with BioRender.com.

Figure 2

PRISMA flowchart illustrating the selection process of included studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Flowchart depicts the step-by-step selection process of studies included in this systematic review. The flowchart outlines the number of records initially identified through database searching, the number of records screened and assessed for eligibility, and the final number of studies included in the review. Created with Microsoft Word (http://www.microsoft.com/word).