Adiponectin And Glomerular Diseases

Glomerular diseases are caused by an immune-mediated inflammation of the glomeruli. Often presenting as nephrotic syndrome, glomerular diseases are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Among several mechanisms, oxidative stress and inflammation in response to renal injury may play crucial role. Accordingly, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory medications are generally used to slow the disease progression. Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is produced by adipose tissue and may offer a reno-protective effect. The specific association between adiponectin and glomerular diseases, however, appears to vary in different types of diseases. As such, the interplay between the level of adiponectin and proteinuria, which is a marker of the progression of glomerular diseases, has not been adequately characterized. Therefore, the purpose of our review was to summarize and evaluate current evidence regarding the role of adiponectin in the development of glomerular diseases, including experimental and clinical studies. On the basis of accumulated data, targeting adiponectin may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of glomerular diseases.