Circulating biological markers of obesity: towards a systems approach

Abstract

The pathological processes associated with obesity are based on impaired energy homeostasis, as well as excessive endocrine and paracrine activity of adipose tissue, leading to inflammation and hormonal imbalance, which is accompanied by the secretion of a wide range of compounds affecting key body processes. One of the indirect methods for assessing the adipose tissue abnormalities is the measurement of the concentration of cytokines, growth factors, as well as a class of specific compounds — adipokines specific to adipose tissue. The study of circulating biomarkers makes it possible to assess their association with the risk of complications, metabolic obesity, and other clinical and functional features. Such markers include adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, apelin, resistin, omentin, visfatin, chemerin, lipocalin, etc.), inflammation biomarkers, heat shock proteins, which are discussed in detail in this review in the context of their use in obesity and concomitant diseases.