Table 1.
Adipokines and their potential metabolic roles in influencing development of metabolic syndrome
| Adipokine | Site | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Adiponectin | Muscle | Stimulates glucose uptake |
| Pancreas | Stimulates insulin secretion | |
| Immune | Anti inflammatory | |
| Liver | Suppresses gluconeogenesis Stimulates fatty acid oxidation | |
| Vascular | Antiatherogenic | |
| Leptin | Muscle | Stimulates fatty acid oxidation |
| Adipose | Inhibits lipogenesis | |
| Pancreas | Stimulates fatty acid oxidation | |
| Immune | Pro-inflammatory | |
| Liver | Stimulates fatty acid oxidation Indirect modulation of gluconeogenesis | |
| Vascular | Associated with atherosclerosis | |
| CNS | Reduces appetite/promotes energy expenditure | |
| Elevates sympathetic activity (hypertension) | ||
| RBP4 | Muscle | Impairs insulin signaling (in mice) |
| Adipose | May play a role in fuel sensing | |
| Liver | Induces insulin resistance | |
| Resistin | Muscle | (insulin resistance in mice) |
| Immune | Increases cytokine production in macrophages | |
| Vascular | Possible endothelial dysfunction | |
| Visfatin | Muscle | Possibly insulin sensitizing |
| Adipose | Stimulates TNF-α and IL-6 production Promotes adipogenesis | |
| Pancreas | Stimulates insulin secretion (mice) | |
| Liver | Reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis |