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The Effect of Chemerin on Glucose Homeostasis
Author(s) -
Ernst Matthew C,
Sinal Christopher J
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.856.7
Subject(s) - chemerin , adipokine , endocrinology , medicine , glucose homeostasis , adipose tissue , white adipose tissue , type 2 diabetes , biology , diabetes mellitus , insulin resistance
Obesity, characterized by excess adipose mass, is a growing epidemic that increases the risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Different mechanisms linking obesity with these comorbidities have been postulated, but remain poorly understood. Adipose tissue secretes a number of hormone‐like compounds, termed adipokines, that are important for the maintenance of normal glucose metabolism. Alterations in the secretion of adipokines are believed to contribute to the undesirable changes in glucose metabolism that commonly occur with obesity. Ultimately, this can result in the development of type 2 diabetes. We have identified a small secreted protein, chemerin, as a novel adipokine. Our study has shown that in mouse models of obesity, serum chemerin levels are significantly elevated and the expression of chemerin and its receptors, chemokine‐like receptor 1 and chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor‐like 2 are altered in white adipose, liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle tissue. In addition, administration of exogenous chemerin exacerbates glucose intolerance and decreases serum insulin levels in obese mouse models. Therefore, chemerin has an important role in glucose homeostasis and may influence the metabolic derangements that result in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Funding: CIHR.