Correlation between obesity, adipokines and the immune system

Obesity is a worldwide health problem and the increase in its incidence, risks and consequences are a matter of growing concern. Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the body. Many studies are currently investigating obesity and associated comorbidities in an attempt to clarify the mechanisms involved. Fat tissue is a dynamic organ that secretes several factors, including adipokines. Adipokines are bioactive peptides secreted by fat cells, which are important for energy regulation and inflammatory and immune responses. Leptin, adiponectin and resistin are the most studied adipokines. The aim of this review was to gather information about these adipokines (leptin, adiponectin and resistin) and their relationship with the immune response in obese individuals, as well as the susceptibility of these patients to infections. The results of the literature review permit some observations. The circulating levels of these adipokines are directly involved in the degree of obesity of the patient. High or low circulating concentrations of these adipokines may have beneficial or negative effects on immune competence, with obese patients being more susceptible to infection and inflammation than eutrophic individuals.Original Abstract: A obesidade e considerada um problema de saude mundial e o aumento de sua incidencia, riscos e consequencias sao cada vez mais preocupantes. Essa enfermidade e caracterizada pelo acumulo de tecido adiposo no organismo. Atualmente, muitos estudos estao direcionados a obesidade e as comorbidades associadas a esta patologia, visando esclarecer os mecanismos envolvidos. O tecido adiposo e um orgao dinamico que secreta varios fatores, dentre eles as adipocinas. As adipocinas sao peptideos bioativos sectetados pelos adipocitos e sao importantes na regulacao energetica, resposta inflamatoria e imunologica. Entre as adipocinas mais estudadas estao a leptina, adiponectina e resitina. O objetivo desta revisao foi reunir informacoes sobre as adipocinas estudadas (leptina, adiponectina e resistina) e suas relacoes com a resposta imunologica em individuos obesos, e a susceptibilidade desses pacientes a infeccoes. A partir dos dados encontrados na literatura algumas constatacoes podetn ser realizadas. Os niveis circulantes dessas adipocinas estao diretamente associados ao grau de obesidade apresentado pelo individuo. Elevadas ou baixas concentracoes circulantes das adipocinas estudadas podem acarretar beneficios ou prejuizos a competenc