Vascular endothelial adiponectin signaling across the life span

Cardiovascular disease risk increases with age regardless of sex. Some of this risk is attributable to alterations in natural hormones throughout the life span. The quintessential example of this being the dramatic increase in cardiovascular disease following the transition to menopause. Plasma levels of adiponectin, a cardioprotective adipokine released primarily by adipose tissue and regulated by hormones, also fluctuate throughout one's life. Plasma adiponectin levels increase with age in both men and women, with higher levels in both pre- and postmenopausal women compared with men. Younger cohorts seem to confer cardioprotective benefits from increased adiponectin levels yet elevated levels in the elderly and those with existing heart disease are associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. Here, we review the most recent data regarding adiponectin signaling in the vasculature, highlight the differences observed between the sexes, and shed light on the apparent paradox regarding increased cardiovascular disease risk despite rising plasma adiponectin levels over time.

Automated summary

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age irrespective of gender. Alterations in natural hormones throughout the lifespan contribute to this risk. Adiponectin, a cardioprotective adipokine regulated by hormones and released primarily by adipose tissue, fluctuates throughout one's life. While plasma adiponectin levels increase with age in both men and women, higher levels in younger individuals confer cardioprotective benefits, while elevated levels in the elderly and those with existing heart disease are associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes.