The adipokines or adipocytokines are a group of cytokines (cell-to-cell signalling proteins) secreted by adipose tissue.

Members include:

• leptin (Ob ligand)
• adiponectin
• resistin
• plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)
• tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)
• visfatin

Their relative roles in modifying appetite, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis are the subjects of intense research, as they may be modifyable causes of morbidity in people with obesity.

Cytokines