Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Adipokines

Abstract

Obesity is a public health issue and it is strongly associated with chronic metabolic diseases like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. Research over the last two decades showed important data proving white adipose tissue is not just a passive energy storage but it has important functions in whole body metabolism and insulin signaling pathway. As an endocrine organ, adipose tissue produces and secretes many cytokines. These cytokines, also known as adipocytokine or adipokine, play important roles in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, inflammation, and satiety and hunger signaling. Although, adipokines may have many different effects on obesity; leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, vaspin, retinol binding protein-4, resistin, and apelin has been found associated with insulin resistance. This review aims to discuss these adipokines and their effects on insulin resistance.