Beyond Leptin and Adiponectin - The Diverse Roles of Adipokines in the Myocardial Hypertrophic Process and Heart Failure and Their Potential Contribution in Obesity

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

Adipocytes can produce bioactive compounds called adipokines that act on the heart and other distal organs, shaping cardiac function and pathological responses. Adipokines influence myocardial remodelling by modulating hypertrophy and fibrosis, key drivers of heart failure, with effects that may be beneficial or harmful depending on the specific adipokine. Obesity increases adiposity and typically raises adipokine production, making these mechanisms especially relevant. Molecular actions involve complex cell-signalling networks, and current evidence suggests a balance between pro- and anti-remodelling factors, while the precise contribution remains underdetermined.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Obesity and Heart Disease with Particular Emphasis on Myocardial Remodelling and Heart Failure

Review Beyond Leptin and Adiponectin: The Diverse Roles of Adipokines in the Myocardial Hypertrophic Process and Heart Failure and Their Potential Contribution in Obesity Morris Karmazyn *,† and Xiaohong Tracey Gan Academic Editor: Anastasios Lymperopoulos Received: 20 November 2025 Revised: 11 December 2025 Accepted: 13 December 2025 Published: 19 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada * [Correspondence: morriskarmazyn@gmail.com](Correspondence: morriskarmazyn@gmail.com) † Retired. Abstract It is now widely recognized that adipocytes have the ability to produce a myriad of bioactive compounds released into the circulation and affecting distal organs, including the heart. These factors, termed adipokines, are also produced by various tissues in addition to adipocytes, including cardiac tissue, and have the ability to modulate cardiac function and the response to pathology. Among the processes greatly affected by adipokines is myocardial remodelling due to hypertrophy and fibrosis, two processes that contribute to the development of heart failure. This is particularly relevant under conditions of obesity, and the accompanying increased adiposity, in general, results in increased adipokine production. The effects of adipokines on cardiac remodelling can be both beneficial or adverse, depending on the adipokine type, such as adiponectin and leptin, respectively. The molecular bases underlying the effects of adipokines on myocardial remodelling have been extensively studied and likely involve a multiplicity of cell signalling processes, thus demonstrating substantial complexity. Emerging evidence suggests that these proteins play an important role in cardiac pathology. Their precise contribution is yet to be determined with certainty, as this likely reflects a balance between pro-remodelling and anti-remodelling factors. Keywords: adipokines; adipocytokines; obesity; cellular signalling; cardiac hypertrophy; cardiac remodelling; heart failure 1. Introduction It is now widely recognized that adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ and possesses the capability to produce and release a plethora of bioactive proteins into the circulation that affect numerous aspects of human biology and homeostasis related to both physiology and pathophysiology. These proteins, termed adipokines, demonstrate an almost bewildering array of functions influencing numerous organ systems. More than 100 adipokines have thus far been identified, among which leptin and adiponectin arguably represent the most widely known of these factors. Adipokines, once released into the circulation, have the ability to modulate various disease processes by acting on specific receptors in distal organs in an endocrine manner, which results in alterations in cellular signalling. This is clearly the case with respect to the heart, which serves as a target for the actions of many adipokines and can indeed synthesize a variety of adipokines. These cardiac-derived adipokines can then function in an autocrine or paracrine manner to alter cardiac function. Nonetheless, adipocytes serve as the primary source of adipokines, and accordingly, the production of adipokines is greatly affected by the degree of adiposity, with generally increased levels seen in obese individuals. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of heart disease in general, including heart failure, which occurs as a result of myocardial remodelling due to cellular hypertrophy and increased fibrosis. The question arises as to whether adipokines participate in either a negative or positive manner in the development of heart failure, especially in obese individuals, where their production,

FAQs

What are adipokines and why do they matter for the heart?

Adipokines are bioactive proteins released into circulation. They can modulate cardiac function directly and also alter responses to pathology, including through effects on myocardial remodelling.

How do adipokines relate to hypertrophy, fibrosis, and heart failure?

Adipokines affect myocardial remodelling processes, particularly hypertrophy and fibrosis. Since these contribute to heart failure, adipokines can promote or protect against disease depending on their type.

Why is obesity emphasized in the discussion?

Obesity increases adiposity and is associated with elevated adipokine production. This makes adipokine-driven remodelling mechanisms particularly relevant for understanding heart failure risk in obese individuals.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver