A novel role for adiponectin in the regulation of inflammation.

摘要

Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic inflammation linked to obesity is closely associated with the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be an independent predictor of future risk for cardiovascular events and a risk factor of developing diabetes.High levels of CRP are also associated with obesity and coronary heart disease, suggesting that CRP is a useful biomarker for obesity-linked chronic inflammatory states. Furthermore, although CRP is primarily made by liver, new studies have shown that CRP is also produced by diseased tissues (eg, atherosclerotic lesions) and by various cell types including macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells.Increasing evidence indicates that CRP is not just a biomarker of inflammation but that it has a direct proinflam-matory action through its ability to promote the induction of cytokines. Thus, agents that lower CRP levels have clinical utility for treatment of inflammatory diseases.