Author/Editor     Kotnik, Primož; Fischer-Posovszky, Pamela; Wabitsch, Martin
Title     RBP4
Type     članek
Vol. and No.     Letnik 165, št. 5
Publication year     2011
Volume     str. 703-711
ISSN     0804-4643 - European journal of endocrinology / European Federation of Endocrine Societies
Language     eng
Abstract     Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ secreting biologically active factors called adipokines that act on both local and distant tissues. Adipokines have an important role in the development of obesity-related comorbidities not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a recently identified adipokine suggested to link obesity with its comorbidities, especially insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and certain components of the metabolic syndrome. However, data, especially resulting from the clinical studies, are conflicting. In this review, we summarize up-to-date knowledge on RBP4's role in obesity, development of insulin resistance, and T2D. Special attention is given to studies on children and adolescents. We also discuss the role of possible confounding factors that should be taken into account when critically evaluating published studies or planning new studies on this exciting adipokine.
Keywords     adipose tissue
adipokine
obesity
retinol binding proteine 4