Association of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein with cholesterol metabolism

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein(FABP4)is abundantly expressed in adipocytes and macrophages, and the physiologic function of this lipid chaperone is involved in the intracellular trafficking and targeting of fatty acids inside cell. Studies have shown that FABP4 plays a significant role in cholesterol metabolism. FABP4 can affect some key gene expression for cholesterol metabolism, thus regulate the metabolism, storage, and trafficking of cholesterol. As the development of FABP4 inhibitors, drugs targeting FABP4 are possible and can lead to a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis. Key words: Adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein; Cholesterol metabolism; Atherosclerosis; Inflammatory response