From Placenta to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: The Role of Adipokines

Abstract

Adipokines are cytokines produced mainly by adipose tissue, besides many other tissues such as placenta, ovaries, peripheral-blood mononuclear cells, liver, muscle, kidney, heart, and bone marrow. Adipokines play a significant role in the metabolic syndrome and in cardiovascular diseases, have implications in regulating insulin sensitivity and inflammation, and have significant effects on growth and reproductive function. The objective of this review was to analyze the functions known today of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin from placenta throughout childhood and adolescence. It is well known now that their serum concentrations during pregnancy and lactation have long-term effects beyond the fetus and newborn. With regard to puberty, adipokines are involved in the regulation of the relationship between nutritional status and normal physiology or disorders of puberty and altered gonadal function, as, for example, premature pubarche and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Cytokines are involved in the maturation of oocytes and in the regular progression of puberty and pregnancy.

Leptin action in normal and pathological pregnancies

“…Moreover, animal models have demonstrated that leptin‐deficient mice are infertile, and fertility can be restored by exogenous leptin . This adipokine may therefore play a critical role in regulating both energy homoeostasis and the reproductive system .…”

IGF-1R and Leptin Expression Profile and the Effects of Metformin Treatment on Metabolic and Endocrine Parameters in PCOS Mice

“…Hyperandrogenism associated with obesity induces cardiometabolic dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation. When associated with insulin resistance (IR), it appears to play a pivotal role in the PCOS pathophysiology [ 2 , 8 ] by influencing both growth and function of ovarian cell [ 9 ]. IR accompanied by compensatory hyperinsulinemia is a common feature of PCOS and some evidences suggest that hyperinsulinemia plays a pathogenic role in causing the hyperandrogenism of the syndrome by increasing ovarian androgen production [ 10 ].…”

Shexiang Baoxin Pill Corrects Metabolic Disorders in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome by Targeting Mitochondria

“…To further clarify the therapeutic mechanisms, first, we observed the effects of SBP on the production of adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin. Abdominal obesity with increased visceral fat is one of the major components of MS. At present, adipose tissue has been defined as an endocrine organ, which can produce adipokines to regulate various processes, such as glucose and fatty-acid metabolism, the inflammatory response and cardiovascular function ( Sartori et al, 2016 ). Adiponectin is a 30 kDa secretory protein that is produced mainly by adipocytes, and its main functions consists of the upregulation of insulin and maintenance of energy homeostasis ( Lihn et al, 2005 ).…”