Advances in the role and mechanism of adiponectin and its receptors in cardiovascular diseases

Adiponectin is a small protein product that is secreted by adipocytes. It is a cytokine with a wide range of biological effects such as insulin sensitivity, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis. Adiponectin plays a role in regulating myocardial survival, improving cardiac energy metabolism, reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury and inhibiting myocardial remodeling during cardiac injury, and plasma adiponectin levels are inversely related to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the advances in the role and mechanism of adiponectin and its receptors in cardiovascular diseases. Key words: Adiponectin; Atherosclerosis; Reperfusion injury; Cardiac hypertrophy