Translating adipokines biology in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases: gaps and open questions

Adipose tissue is nowadays recognized as an active endocrine organ, a function related to the ability to secrete adipokines (such as leptin and adiponectin) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and resistin). Studies in vitro and in animal models have observed that obesity status presents a chronic low-grade inflammation as the consequence of the of immune cells infiltrating the adipose tissue as well as adipocytes. This inflammatory signature is often related to the presence of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Source: Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research