The Role of Adipokines in the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as a major cause of mortality worldwide have close association with obesity, this factor is regarded as independent CVDs risk factor. In addition, obesity enhances incidence of the other risk factors particularly metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ which secretes important bioactive mediators that are called adipokines or adipocytokines. These proteins have complex function in regulation of insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism and are involved in cardiovascular system homeostasis. It is well recognized anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effect of some adipokines such as Adiponectin. There is adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity state, which is represented by inflammatory cells infiltration and abnormal production of adipokines so their balance is impaired. In this condition decreased or increased levels of some adipokines have involved in cardiovascular disease incidence by several mechanisms such as insulin resistance, vascular calcification, fibrinolysis disturbance, increased adhesion molecules expression, increased foam cell formation, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In this article we focus on the role of adipokines which are involved in CVDs pathogenesis such as Leptin, Resistin, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, Visfatin, Chemerin, Apelin, Omentin, Adiponectin, Vaspin. Undoubtedly, further researches in this field can promise appropriate strategies for CVDs prevention, control or even treatment.