Adipose tissue is now acknowledged as not just an energy storage tissue, but also as an endocrine organ that produces bioactive adipokines. Omentin is an adipokine that is gaining interest due to reports of reduced circulating plasma levels in obesity and blood vessel diseases. An emerging cardioprotective role for omentin is discussed.
Keywords: Adipokines; Cardioprotection; Diabetes; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Omentin.
Copyright © 2014 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.