The role of fetuin-A in cardiovascular diseases

• Published in: Orvosi hetilap Vol. 155; no. 1; p. 16
• Main Authors: Vörös, Krisztián, Cseh, Károly, Kalabay, László
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Hungarian
• Published: Hungary 05-01-2014
• Subjects: Adipocytes - metabolism; alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein - metabolism; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Calcinosis - prevention & control; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified - metabolism; Fatty Liver - metabolism; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome - metabolism; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity - metabolism; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Receptor, Insulin - antagonists & inhibitors; Weight Gain; artériakalcifikáció; cardiovascular disease; adipocyte dysfunction; adipocytadiszfunkció; arterial calcification; fetuin-A; inzulinrezisztencia; insulin resistance; cardiovascularis betegségek
• ISSN: 0030-6002
• DOI: 10.1556/OH.2014.29793

Fetuin-A (also known as α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein) is a multifunctional molecule secreted by the liver. It is a negative acute phase reactant with a debated role in subclinical inflammation. Fetuin-A is an inhibitor of the insulin receptor and its serum level correlates with insulin resistance. The protein has been implicated in adipocyte dysfunction and it is associated with obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Although all these properties seem to promote atherosclerosis, the role of fetuin-A in cardiovascular diseases is more complex. As a natural inhibitor of tissue and vascular calcification, fetuin-A also acts as a protective factor in atherosclerosis. The potential role and prognostic value of fetuin-A in arterial calcification and cardiovascular diseases is discussed in this review, along with explanations for seemingly contradicting results in the literature and possible directions for future research.