Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2023; 14(6): 758-782
Published online Jun 15, 2023. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.758
Adiponectin as a therapeutic target for diabetic foot ulcer
Mona Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla, Jaiprakash Mohanraj, Sushela Devi Somanath
Mona Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla, Department of Physiology, Human Biology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Jaiprakash Mohanraj, Department of Biochemistry, Human Biology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Sushela Devi Somanath, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Author contributions: Abdalla MMI wrote the abstract, core tip, potential therapeutic effect of adiponectin in DFUs, and the conclusion, prepared Table 1, Figure 3, and contributed to the development of Figure 2; Mohanraj J wrote about the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers, provided an overview of adiponectin, prepared figure 1 and contributed to developing Figure 2; Somanath SD wrote the introduction and revised Table 1; and all authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mona Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla, MSc, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, No. 126 Jln Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia. monamohamed@imu.edu.my
Received: February 28, 2023
Peer-review started: February 28, 2023
First decision: March 14, 2023
Revised: March 25, 2023
Accepted: April 24, 2023
Article in press: April 24, 2023
Published online: June 15, 2023
Abstract

The global burden of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a significant public health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. These wounds cause considerable suffering and have a high economic cost. Therefore, there is a need for effective strategies to prevent and treat DFUs. One promising therapeutic approach is the use of adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced and secreted by adipose tissue. Adiponectin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, and researchers have suggested its potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of DFUs. Studies have indicated that adiponectin can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a key mediator of angiogenesis, and inhibit the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Additionally, adiponectin has been found to possess antioxidant properties and impact glucose metabolism, the immune system, extracellular matrix remodeling, and nerve function. The objective of this review is to summarize the current state of research on the potential role of adiponectin in the treatment of DFUs and to identify areas where further research is needed in order to fully understand the effects of adiponectin on DFUs and to establish its safety and efficacy as a treatment for DFUs in the clinical setting. This will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of DFUs that can aid in the development of new and more effective treatment strategies.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcer, Adiponectin, Anti-inflammatory, Adipose tissue, Antioxidants, Wound healing

Core Tip: The global burden of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is significant, both in terms of human suffering and healthcare costs. Therefore, effective strategies to prevent and treat DFUs are urgently needed. Adiponectin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue, shows promise as a therapeutic option for DFUs due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic effects. While adiponectin has potential therapeutic applications, further research is necessary to establish its safety and efficacy in clinical settings. This review aims to summarize current research on adiponectin’s potential role in treating DFUs and identify areas requiring further investigation.