Fetuin-A and angiopoietins in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Endocrine. 2012 Dec;42(3):496-505. doi: 10.1007/s12020-012-9754-4. Epub 2012 Jul 21.

Abstract

Although type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder with multiple etiologies, obesity has been constantly linked with insulin resistance and manifestation of type 2 DM. In addition, obesity is associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver disease and is regarded as a subclinical inflammatory condition characterized by release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as cytokines from adipose tissue. Both, type 2 DM and obesity are considered as major risks for developing micro- and macrovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that impaired circulating levels of fetuin-A, which is involved in propagating insulin resistance as well as circulating levels of angiopoietins, which are growth factors promoting angiogenesis, were observed in patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 DM. However, independent of type 2 DM and obesity, defective regulation of fetuin-A and angiopoietin are playing a critical role in predisposing to coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. Therefore, mechanisms linking type 2 DM and obesity with fetuin-A and angiopoietins seem to be complex and are in need of further exploration. In this review, we aimed to present a summary concerning associations of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and vascular diseases with circulating levels of angiopoietins and fetuin-A. Furthermore, we aimed to focus on roles of fetuin-A and angiopoietins and to highlight the most plausible mechanisms that might explain their associations with type 2 DM and obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Angiopoietins / metabolism
  • Angiopoietins / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / pathology
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / metabolism
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / physiology*

Substances

  • Angiopoietins
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein