CTRP1 in Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease occurs in significant percentage of general population. NAFLD is closely associated with entire spectrum of metabolic-related disorders including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Considering several similar pathways underpinning metabolic disorders, presence of common molecular mediators contributing to pathomechanism of these disorders is expected. Mounting evidence has demonstrated important role of adipokines in the context of NAFLD. Adipokines produced by different tissues, mainly adipose, modulate numerous pathways including glucose and fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. CTRPs (C1q/TNF-related proteins) are a recently identified family of adipokines in which adiponectin is the most well-known ones. CTRP1 is a member of this family which has captured attention in recent years. CTRP1 enhances glucose and fatty acid oxidation, improves insulin sensitivity, attenuates plaque formation, and increases aldosterone production. Hence, various roles in metabolic pathways can link CTRP1 to NAFLD pathogenesis.