摘要：Adiponectin is an adipokine mainly produced by adipose tissue. Circulating levels of adiponectin are reduced in conditions that are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, leading to the growing research interests in the vascular protective activities of adiponectin. Adiponectin exerts multiple vascular protective effects through direct actions on endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes and macrophages, adventitial fibroblasts, and platelets. It also affects monocyte-endothelium and leukocyte-endothelium adhesion. In addition, adiponectin opposes the inflammatory, apoptotic, and atherogenic effects of other adipokines, e.g. tumor necrosis factor-alpha, resistin, and interleukin-18. Thus, it is plausible that adiponectin plays a beneficial role in the treatment and prevention of vascular dysfunction. Adiponectin and its signaling may serve as potential therapeutic targets in reducing the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases.
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