Visfatin and cardio-cerebro-vascular disease

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2012 Jan;59(1):1-9. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e31820eb8f6.

Abstract

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide from nicotinamide. This protein was originally cloned as a putative pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor and also found to be a visceral fat-derived adipokine (visfatin). As a multifunctional protein, visfatin plays an important role in immunity, metabolism, aging, inflammation, and responses to stress. Visfatin also participates in several pathophysiological processes contributing to cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic stroke. However, whether visfatin is a friend or a foe in these diseases remains uncertain. This brief review focuses on the current understanding of the complex role of visfatin in the cardio-cerebro-vascular system under normal and pathophysiological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / blood
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / blood
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / chemistry
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / genetics
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / physiology*

Substances

  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase