Adipocytokines: emerging therapeutic targets.

Recently, adipocytes have been shown to be recognized as endocrine cells that secrete a variety of bioactive substances known as adipocytokines. Among adipocytokines, adiponectin, a newly found adipose tissue-specific collagen-like protein, has been noted as an important antiatherogenic and antidiabetic protein. The function of adipocytes might be regulated dynamically by nutritional state. Visceral fat accumulation causes dysfunction of adipocytes and results in the development of a variety of metabolic and circulatory diseases through the abnormal secretion of adipocytokines. In this review, the importance of adipocytokines, including adiponectin, is discussed with respect to atherosclerosis.