Functional cardiac orexin receptors: role of orexin-B/orexin 2 receptor in myocardial protection.

Orexins/hypocretins exert cardiovascular effects which are centrally mediated. In the present study, we tested whether orexins and their receptors may also act in an autocrine/paracrine manner in the heart exerting direct effects. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses revealed that the rat heart expresses orexins and orexin receptors (OXR).

Chemerin in human cardiovascular disease.

Adipose tissue, initially known only for storing excess fat, produces a number of active cytokine-like hormones, collectively known as adipokines or adipocytokines. These molecules are further known to elicit auto-, para- and endocrine functions in the body. In healthy bodies, the cardiovascular endothelium maintains vascular health by critically controlling the interplay between various factors.

Chemerin induces endothelial cell inflammation: activation of nuclear factor-kappa beta and monocyte-endothelial adhesion.

Chemerin, a chemoattractant protein, acts a G-protein coupled chemokine receptor, Chemokine like Receptor 1/ChemR23; levels of which are elevated in pro-inflammatory states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity and T2DM patients are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis. We have reported that chemerin induces human endothelial cell angiogenesis and since dysregulated angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction are hallmarks of vascular disease; we sought to determine the effects of chemerin on monocyte-endothelial adhesion, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), a critical pro-inflammatory transcription factor.

Circulatory changes of the novel adipokine adipolin/CTRP12 in response to metformin treatment and an oral glucose challenge in humans.

Objective: Adipolin/CTRP12 is a novel adipokine with anti-inflammatory and glucose-lowering properties in rodents. We sought to investigate the effects of metformin treatment (850 mg twice daily for 6 months) and a 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on serum adipolin concentrations in humans.

Design: Cross-sectional study [PCOS (n = 83) and control (n = 39) subjects].

Metformin increases the novel adipokine cartonectin/CTRP3 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: Recently cartonectin was reported as a novel adipokine, with lower levels in diet-induced obese mice, glucose-lowering effects, and antiinflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a proinflammatory state associated with obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular complications.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate cartonectin levels and regulation in sera and adipose tissue (AT) as well as the effects of metformin of women with PCOS and control subjects.

Role of adipokines in cardiovascular disease.

The discovery of leptin in 1994 sparked dramatic new interest in the study of white adipose tissue. It is now recognised to be a metabolically active endocrine organ, producing important chemical messengers - adipokines and cytokines (adipocytokines). The search for new adipocytokines or adipokines gained added fervour with the prospect of the reconciliation between cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity and metabolic syndrome.