Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Adipokines released by adipose tissue have been recognised as important players in the development of cardiovascular disease. Leptin is a well-studied adipokine with an important role in body metabolism and energy expenditure and leptin-deficiency or deficient leptin signalling results in excessive obesity and type 2 diabetes. Studies in cells and animal models support that leptin has a pro-atherogenic potential and exerts pro-hypertrophic effects on the heart. However, recent basic and clinical evidence suggests that leptin may also have a beneficial role in cardiovascular physiology. Notably, clinical studies have failed to convincingly link leptin with increased cardiovascular disease risk. We herein summarise the role of leptin in cardiovascular disease as another example of the 'adipokine paradox' and discuss the complexity in using serum adipokine levels as biomarkers in cardiovascular disease.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.06.044

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int J Cardiol

Publication Date

15/10/2015

Volume

197

Pages

125 - 127

Keywords

Adipokines, Adiponectin, Adipose tissue, Cardiovascular disease, Leptin, Adipokines, Adiponectin, Adipose Tissue, Animals, Atherosclerosis, Biomarkers, Cardiovascular Diseases, Humans, Leptin