New Insights on Implications of Adipocytokines in Obesity, Metabolic Dysfunction, Rheumatoid and Cardiovascular Diseases: Potential of Therapeutic Interventions

Adipocytokines released from either adipocytes [such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, vaspin, adipsin, omentin, chemerin, retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), preadipocyte factor 1 (pref-1), etc.] or from adipose tissue-infiltrated inflammatory cells [such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-18] could play crucial roles in the development of insulin resistance in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there is a great progress in discoveries that concern the disturbances in these adipocytokines and their mechanisms in both animal and human studies. Novel adipocytokines [Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), omentin-1, lipocalin 2 (LCN2), secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5), C1q/TNF-Related Proteins (CTRPs) as well as a new adipokine-named family with sequence similarity to 19 member A5 (FAM19A5) and wingless-type inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1)] have been recently stated to be expressed in adipose tissues. However, there are still gaps in understanding the mechanisms underlying the molecular and physiological actions of these adipocytokines. Further investigations have yet to be done to fill these gaps because well understanding the mechanisms of action and function of these adipocytokines may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents and targets. Such investigations will greatly facilitate validating and identifying novel therapeutic interventions that are capable to improve insulin sensitivity, glucose management and cardiovascular complications. Thus, the topic of the current issue will potentially contribute to the development of research on the impact of disturbances of adipocytokines on obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders as well as the roles of adipocytokines as therapeutic targets in the treatment of these disorders.

This Research Topic focuses on studies including original research articles, review articles, minireviews, short communications, perspectives and commentaries that investigate and discuss:

- Impacts of adipocytokines on insulin resistance in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders.
- Molecular and physiological mechanisms of action of adipocytokines (with special concerns to the novel adipocytokines) in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders.
- Adipocytokines as targets for therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders.
- Natural and synthetic agents targeting adipocytokines
- Future research on adiopocytokines as therapeutic targets