The Role of Hepatokines in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, and associated with the risks of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). A group of liver-derived proteins called hepatokines directly affect the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by modulating endothelial dysfunction and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In this review we summarize the role of the representative hepatokines in the progression of CVD.