Knudson Jarrod D, Dick Gregory M, Tune Johnathan D
Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Jun;232(6):727-36.
Research in the last 10-15 years has shown that fat cells (adipocytes) produce and release proteins with specific biologic activities. These proteins, termed adipokines, include the hormones leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Adipose tissue is now recognized as an active endocrine organ. With the obesity pandemic swelling in the Western world, ongoing research is aimed at determining the biologic links between obesity and cardiovascular disease. This review presents basic historical background information on the major adipokines, introduces findings from clinical studies associating adipokines with cardiovascular disease, and summarizes results from recent basic science research studies of mechanisms of adipokine-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. Particular emphasis is placed on the action of adipokines in the coronary circulation-especially effects of adipokines on endothelial function, as endothelial damage is likely a critical event initiating atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
过去10到15年的研究表明，脂肪细胞（脂肪组织）会产生并释放具有特定生物活性的蛋白质。这些蛋白质被称为脂肪因子，包括瘦素、脂联素和抵抗素等激素。脂肪组织现在被认为是一个活跃的内分泌器官。随着西方世界肥胖症的流行，正在进行的研究旨在确定肥胖与心血管疾病之间的生物学联系。本综述介绍了主要脂肪因子的基本历史背景信息，介绍了将脂肪因子与心血管疾病相关联的临床研究结果，并总结了近期关于脂肪因子诱导心血管功能障碍机制的基础科学研究结果。特别强调了脂肪因子在冠状动脉循环中的作用，尤其是脂肪因子对内皮功能的影响，因为内皮损伤可能是引发动脉粥样硬化性冠状动脉疾病的关键事件。
