Skip to main content

Adipokine Balance

Meaning

The precise equilibrium of signaling molecules, known as adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue (body fat). This balance involves both pro-inflammatory (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, resistin) and anti-inflammatory (e.g., adiponectin, leptin) peptides. A healthy adipokine profile is crucial for maintaining systemic metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Disruption of this balance, often seen in visceral adiposity, leads to chronic low-grade inflammation and contributes to endocrine dysfunction. Clinically, assessing this balance offers crucial insight into an individual’s cardiometabolic risk profile beyond simple body mass index.