Vascular integrity in the healthy endothelium is maintained through the release of a variety of paracrine factors such as NO (nitric oxide). Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by reduced NO bioavailability, is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and Type II diabetes. Insulin has been demonstrated to have direct effects on the endothelium to increase NO bioavailability. Therefore altered insulin signalling in the endothelium represents a candidate mechanism underlying the association between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. In recent years, it has become apparent that insulin sensitivity is regulated by the adipocytokines, a group of bioactive proteins secreted by adipose tissue. Secretion of adipocytokines is altered in obese individuals and there is increasing evidence that the adipocytokines have direct effects on the vascular endothelium. A number of current antidiabetic strategies have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on endothelial function and to alter adipocytokine concentrations in addition to their effects on glucose homoeostasis. In this review we will explore the notion that the association between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction is accounted for by adipocytokine action on the endothelium. In addition, we examine the effects of weight loss, exercise and antidiabetic drugs on adipocytokine availability and endothelial function.
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December 2004
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Review Article|
November 24 2004
The role of insulin and the adipocytokines in regulation of vascular endothelial function
Stuart A. RITCHIE;
Stuart A. RITCHIE
*Henry Wellcome Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
†Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Marie-Ann EWART;
Marie-Ann EWART
*Henry Wellcome Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
†Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Colin G. PERRY;
Colin G. PERRY
†Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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John M. C. CONNELL;
John M. C. CONNELL
†Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Ian P. SALT
*Henry Wellcome Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
Correspondence: Dr Ian P. Salt (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 01 2004
Revision Received:
August 19 2004
Accepted:
August 24 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
August 24 2004
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society
2004
Clin Sci (Lond) (2004) 107 (6): 519–532.
Article history
Received:
July 01 2004
Revision Received:
August 19 2004
Accepted:
August 24 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
August 24 2004
Citation
Stuart A. RITCHIE, Marie-Ann EWART, Colin G. PERRY, John M. C. CONNELL, Ian P. SALT; The role of insulin and the adipocytokines in regulation of vascular endothelial function. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 December 2004; 107 (6): 519–532. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20040190
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