Special Issue "The World of Adipokines: Their Presence and Distribution in the Organism and Their Relevance in Veterinary Medicine"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2022.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Cecilia Dall'Aglio
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Interests: adipokines; orexins; cannabinoids; immunohistochemical techniques; domestic animals; exocrine glands; genital tract; diets; metabolism
Prof. Francesca Mercati
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Interests: hair follicle; skin; stem cells; reproductive apparatus; adipokines; immunohistochemical techniques; morphometry; energetic metabolism.
Prof. Dr. Paola Scocco
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino (MC), 62032 Camerino, Italy
Interests: histochemistry; morphometry; animal welfare; food-intake; digestive apparatus; reproductive apparatus; mammary gland; ruminants; environmental sustainability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The word “adipokines” generally identifies all the molecules synthesized and secreted by the adipose tissue. This evidence suggests that the adipose tissue can be no longer seen only as a storage tissue but also as a real “endocrine organ”. The adipokines carry out a local action (autocrine/paracrine) on the same producing tissue but also a systemic one (endocrine) on different target organs and tissues. The numerous studies conducted in this regard and the evidence of their distribution, often ubiquitous, with the presence of production sites additional to the adipose tissue, have allowed us to hypothesize and, in some cases, to demonstrate their involvement in the functional control of the organs where they have been highlighted.

Original manuscripts, review articles, and short communications and commentaries, which address any aspects of adipokines in domestic and wild animals, are invited for this special issue. Manuscripts that use a multidisciplinary approach and address any aspect of adipokines with a direct impact on animal welfare are particularly welcome.

Dr. Cecilia Dall'Aglio
Prof. Francesca Mercati
Dr. Paola Scocco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adipocytokines
  • energetic metabolism
  • domestic animals
  • wild animals
  • animal welfare
  • obesity

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

Article
Seasonal and Nutritional Fluctuations in the mRNA Levels of the Short Form of the Leptin Receptor (LRa) in the Hypothalamus and Anterior Pituitary in Resistin-Treated Sheep
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082451 - 20 Aug 2021
Viewed by 358
Abstract
The short form of the leptin receptor (LRa) plays a key role in the transport of leptin to the central nervous system (CNS). Here, the resistin (RSTN)-mediated expression of LRa in the preoptic area (POA), ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei (VMH/DMH),arcuate nucleus [...] Read more.
The short form of the leptin receptor (LRa) plays a key role in the transport of leptin to the central nervous system (CNS). Here, the resistin (RSTN)-mediated expression of LRa in the preoptic area (POA), ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei (VMH/DMH),arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the anterior pituitary gland (AP)was analyzed considering the photoperiodic (experiment 1) and nutritional status (experiment 2) of ewes. In experiment 1, 30 sheep were fed normally and received one injection of saline or two doses of RSTN one hour prior to euthanasia. RSTN increased LRa expression mainly in the ARC and AP during long days (LD) and only in the AP during short days (SD). In experiment 2, an altered diet for 5 months created lean or fat sheep. Twenty sheep were divided into four groups: the lean and fat groups were given saline, while the lean-R and fat-R groups received RSTN one hour prior to euthanasia. Changes in adiposity influenced the effect of RSTN on LRa mRNA transcript levels in the POA, ARC and AP and without detection of LRa in the VMH/DMH. Overall, both photoperiodic and nutritional signals influence the effects of RSTN on leptin transport to the CNS and are involved in the adaptive/pathological phenomenon of leptin resistance in sheep. Full article
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Article
Effects of Obesity on Adiponectin System Skin Expression in Dogs: A Comparative Study
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082308 - 05 Aug 2021
Viewed by 526
Abstract
Obesity is an important health issue in dogs since it influences a plethora of associated pathologies, including dermatological disorders. Considering the scarcity of information in pets, this work aimed to evaluate the localization and expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its two receptors (ADIPOR1 [...] Read more.
Obesity is an important health issue in dogs since it influences a plethora of associated pathologies, including dermatological disorders. Considering the scarcity of information in pets, this work aimed to evaluate the localization and expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its two receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) in the skin of 10 obese dogs, compared with serum ADIPOQ level. Through immunohistochemistry, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 were observed in the adipose tissue, sweat and sebaceous glands, endothelium, and some connective cells. Both receptors were observed in the epidermis and the hair follicles, other than in the sweat and sebaceous glands. Real-time PCR evidenced that the ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 transcripts were expressed 5.4-fold (p < 0.01) and 2.3-fold less (p < 0.01), respectively, in obese than in normal weight dogs, while ADIPOR1 expression did not change. Obese dogs showed lower serum ADIPOQ levels than the normal weight group. Accordingly, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 expression in the skin appear negatively correlated with obesity in the same way as the serum ADIPOQ level. These findings evidence that ADIPOQ system changes in the skin of obese dogs and suggest that the ADIPOQ effect on the skin is at least in part regulated by the reduced expression of ADIPOR2. Full article
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Article
Leptin System in Obese Dog Skin: A Pilot Study
Animals 2020, 10(12), 2338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122338 - 09 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 500
Abstract
Obesity predisposes to several health problems including skin diseases. However, information on the relationship between obesity and skin disorders in pets is very scarce. Leptin (LEP) is mainly produced by adipose tissue and has a prominent role in skin biology. This study evaluated [...] Read more.
Obesity predisposes to several health problems including skin diseases. However, information on the relationship between obesity and skin disorders in pets is very scarce. Leptin (LEP) is mainly produced by adipose tissue and has a prominent role in skin biology. This study evaluated the LEP system in the skin of obese dogs compared to normal-weight animals. The investigation was carried out on 10 obese (Obese group) and 10 normal-weight (Normal-weight group) dogs through Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Cells of skin associated immune system were also evaluated. No differences were evidenced between the two groups as well as skin inflammation. LEP differences were no significant, while LEPR transcript appeared 10-fold higher in obesedogs than in normal-weight ones. Immunostaining for both molecules was observed in several skin structures such as the epidermis, hair follicles, and glands. No differences appeared in the skin associated immune system composition. This study is a preliminary report showing that LEP system changes in obese dog skin. The increased LEPR expression observed in the obese group suggests that the receptor plays a modulating role in the system control. However, the exact role of LEPin the skin under obesity conditions needs further elucidation. Full article
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