Title:Progranulin, a New Adipokine at the Crossroads of Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia and Hypertension
Volume: 23
Issue: 10
Author(s): Agnieszka Korolczuk*Jerzy Bełtowski*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland,Poland
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University, Lublin,Poland
Keywords:
Progranulin, adipokines, obesity, insulin resistance, endothelial function, nitric oxide, atherosclerosis.
Abstract: Background: Progranulin is a multifunctional regulatory protein with growth-promoting, neuroprotective
and antiinflammatory activities. Recent studies indicate that progranulin is one of the adipose tissue hormones
(adipokines). Progranulin expression in visceral adipose tissue and circulating progranulin concentration
are increased in obesity and hyperprogranulinemia is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated insulin
resistance. Progranulin impairs insulin signaling and reduces insulin-induced glucose uptake both in vitro and in
vivo whereas progranulin deficiency protects from high fat diet-induced insulin resistance. Several studies, including
some prospective ones, have demonstrated the association between high progranulin and type 2 diabetes
and its complications such as nephro- and retinopathy as well as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is quite well
established that progranulin contributes to insulin resistance and resulting deterioration of carbohydrate metabolism.
In addition, progranulin may be associated with the development of diabetic microangiopathy, fatty liver
disease and possibly with the increased risk of cancer in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. On the other hand,
progranulin augments vasorelaxation, inhibits inflammatory reaction, is neuroprotective and reduces ischemiareperfusion
injury.
Conclusion: Progranulin has both detrimental and beneficial effects. More clinical studies including prospective
ones are needed to clarify the role of progranulin in obesity-associated pathologies such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
hypertension and atherosclerosis.
