Adipokines and hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Obesity is rapidly becoming a pandemic and is associated with increased carcinogenesis,especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Adipose tissue has been considered as an endocrine organ because of its capacity to secrete a wide variety of adipokines,such as leptin,adiponectin and resistin.Recently,adipokines have been demonstrated to be associated with many kinds of chronic liver diseases,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis,and carcinogenesis.Direct evidence supporting the inhibitory and/or activating role of adipokines in the process of carcinogenesis and progression of human HCC has been rapidly accumulating. This review aims to provide important insights into the potential mechanisms of adipokines in the development of HCC.Further investigations will shed light on a new therapeutic target in HCC.