Atheroprotective properties of human Omentin-1 in experimental atherosclerosis

This editorial refers to ‘Omentin attenuates atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice’, by M. Hiramatsu-Ito et al. , pp. 107–117. This editorial refers to ‘Counteractive effects of omentin-1 against atherogenesis’, by K. Watanabe et al. , pp. 118–128. It has been clearly established that adipocytes are not merely involved in energy storage, but function as an endocrine organ involved in different metabolic and inflammatory responses. For this reason, the role of adipose tissue in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases has gained increasing interest. In mammals, two types of adipose tissue can be distinguished, white and brown fat. Brown fat is more abundant in newborns and is relevant for the generation of heat. Two different types of white adipose tissue can be distinguished, subcutaneous and visceral fat, of which the latter is metabolically active. Under healthy conditions, visceral adipose tissue has balanced, non-metabolic, and non-inflammatory properties. In diseased state, as seen in obese or cardiovascular patients, the white adipose tissue reveals a shift towards a disbalanced metabolic and pro-inflammatory state.1 Diseased fat can exert systemic effects resulting in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which both attribute to the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD).2 In addition, epicardial and peri-adventitial adipose deposits can also focally influence atherosclerotic lesion …