Adipokines-AMPK Cross-Talk in Avian Species: A Translational Model for Human Obesity

Abstract

Adipocytokines, or adipokines, are circulating hormones mainly produced by adipose tissue
and are key regulators of whole body metabolism and immune homeostasis. Due to a rise in
human obesity-related diseases, pathways related to metabolism are being studied using several animal models to identify key molecular signatures for development of mechanism-based
therapeutic strategies. Previous work published in our laboratory has used chickens as a model
for obesity because of its peculiarities that will be described in this article. In particular, recent
advances in our understanding of adipokine AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) interactions in the regulation of energy balance will be summarized as well as facilitating the discussion by asking new questions which may open new vistas for future research.